◎I have never met an ice dancer with such strong strength◎
"After all, it is the top university in the country, and the pressure on the affiliated high school of the Capital Dance Academy must be great." Xu Chi slightly restrained his smile, "The training of the national team will not be easy. In addition to land training and physical training, we must ensure five hours of ice practice every day, and seven or eight hours on the eve of the season. If Tiantian can't keep up with the progress of the dance school, we may need to make further adjustments... Of course, this is a later story."
"But...but there's no problem with transferring schools, right? Just pass these tests." Zhang Lilian held a stack of test materials, still a little bit unbelieving.
"Is it more unbelievable to be admitted to the Affiliated High School of Shouwu School than to win the national silver medal after learning ice dancing for only half a year?" Xu Chi couldn't help laughing.
Ji Tiantian and Ji Ze also laughed. Ji Tiantian turned and looked at Zhang Lilian.
Mom smiled so hard that tears welled up in her eyes, and her face was filled with joy. She was really happy.
Ji Tiantian paused, and the smile on her face became brighter. "Mom, I will make you happier and happier, I promise."
"Does Tang Yi also attend classes during training like our Tiantian?" Ji Ze asked curiously, "How are his grades?"
"Tang Yi is enrolled in a cultural middle school. He only goes there for a few days each semester to let the school know that he is still alive." Xu Chi smiled. "His cultural courses are supervised by a special teacher in the team, so his practice time is more flexible. I heard from the cultural teacher that he is a good student and is considered the top student in the team. It shouldn't be a problem for him to get into a key high school in the capital."
"That's pretty impressive." Ji Ze was a little surprised. "In the future, can he do something else besides ice dancing?"
"He's working on it right now." Xu Chi fell into deep thought. "During breaks in training, he's either on the phone or learning video editing. I don't know what he's working on."
Ji Tiantian: “…”
"I think Tang Yi is a very calm kid. If he wasn't like that, I might not be comfortable with him practicing with Tiantian. He's different from many boys who like to play and make trouble." Zhang Lilian fell into deep thought, "How did you train him so well?"
"He didn't have any special training, he just grew up like that." Xu Chi smiled and fell into reminiscence, "In fact, others think he is a wild man who doesn't follow the ordinary path and thinks he is rebellious. But I know he also has a calm side. His favorite poem is Lu Li's "Soil"."
"What kind?"
"'If you always think of yourself as a pearl, you will always be afraid of being buried. Think of yourself as dirt and let people trample you into a road.'"
Ji Tiantian looked at Xu Chi quietly.
In his previous life, Tang Yi had been practicing this poem. He became an ice dancer, worked with many people, and witnessed the rise of many younger generations.
As an ice dancer, Tang Yi is undoubtedly excellent. She stays on the ice year after year, as determined as a soldier.
And in this life, she will stay with him in this world of ice and snow.
As an athlete, she would fly over the chasm with him. Ji Tiantian clenched her fingers subconsciously.
"If you have no objection, then I will lead Tiantian and Tang Yi to challenge the World Youth Championship in March." Xu Chi changed the subject and smiled at Zhang Lilian and Ji Ze.
"So soon?" Zhang Lilian couldn't help but turn her head to look at the desk calendar that was turned to January and exclaimed, "There's only a little over a month left!"
Ji Tiantian's eyes could not help but fall on the calendar. For no reason, she felt her heartbeat quicken.
"The World Junior Championships, also known as the World Championships Youth Group, is the most influential event in youth figure skating competitions and is also the last competition of the youth group this season. Tiantian and Tang Yi are in good shape now, so they can just catch this last train." Xu Chi paused and continued to emphasize, "Although the World Junior Championships are not as popular as the adult group, they are also very important and are the breeding ground for the next batch of first-tier teams. From the perspective of athletes, athletes can understand the scoring tendencies of judges under the new rules through international competitions. There are certain subjective factors in the scoring of ice dance events. It is useless to hearsay without personal experience. From a young age, getting familiar with others in international competitions will also make it easier to get impression points in the future."
"Okay, I understand." Zhang Lilian took a deep breath and looked at Xu Chi firmly. "Since you have made so much effort, Tiantian's father and I will cooperate. Let's work hard together for... the World Youth Championship."
Everyone turned their attention to Zhang Lilian. Everyone remembered that she did not support Tiantian's decision to become a professional ice dancer at first.
"You don't have to look at me like that. Tiantian likes ice dancing. I can... I can see it from her competition." Zhang Lilian's voice was a little trembling, but her eyes were still firm. "As a parent, of course we have to do our best to satisfy our children, not to mention that our Tiantian is so outstanding."
"Thank you again." Xu Chi said solemnly to Zhang Lilian and Ji Ze, "Thank you for raising Tiantian to be so outstanding."
"There's nothing to thank me for. It's every parent's wish for their sons to become successful. I just didn't expect that when my daughter really becomes a phoenix, I would feel so... sad." Zhang Lilian choked up a little, but she quickly controlled herself, touched Ji Tiantian's head and whispered to Xu Chi, "Don't worry, we will fully support you."
"Okay, let's get ready." Xu Chi stood up and glanced at the calendar. "An old tailor I know is very good at making costuming and he has a free time at the moment. I want to order a new set of free dance costuming for my two children from him, and the leader has approved the funds. The competition will start soon, and there is also the New Year's Eve, so time is tight. I want Tiantian's dress size now."
"Oh, okay." Zhang Lilian immediately came to her senses, pushed Ji Tiantian into the room, measured her, and then gave the size to Xu Chi. Xu Chi did not delay any longer, said goodbye to Zhang Lilian and Ji Ze and left.
"I've decided. Tiantian and I will go to the capital together." Zhang Lilian closed the door and walked to Ji Ze in a hurry. "I will rent a house in the capital and find a job. I heard from my colleagues that the interest classes in Beijing are in great need of dance teachers!"
"Mom, are you going to the capital too?" Ji Tiantian looked at Zhang Lilian in a daze.
"Yes, my baby," Zhang Lilian held up Ji Tiantian's face and rubbed it vigorously, "Mom is worried about you going alone."
"How about selling the house and going to the capital together?" Ji Ze said.
"No!" Ji Tiantian spoke up to stop him reflexively, "The capital has a limited purchase policy. You can't buy a new one immediately after you sell it. You may not be able to afford it when you can. But the value of our current house will increase a lot in the next few years!"
Ji Ze and Zhang Lilian stared at Ji Tiantian in a daze, and no one spoke for a while.
"I heard all these things...from my teachers at school!" Ji Tiantian added immediately.
"Yeah, that makes sense." Zhang Lilian rubbed her daughter's soft face while talking to Ji Ze, "Hubby, you stay in Nancheng and look after our house."
Ji Ze showed a lonely look. He didn't want to sell the house, he just wanted to leave with his family. But it was obviously impossible.
"Okay, I'll go back and talk to the company to see if I can live in the staff dormitory in the future, and then rent this place. Now that you're all gone, I don't have to live in such a big house by myself." Ji Ze looked around with a slightly nostalgic look, then turned around and smiled at Ji Tiantian, whose eyes were filled with worry, "Look, Tiantian, actually joining the national team is not a big deal, so everything can be arranged like this."
Ji Tiantian pursed her lips and nodded gently. She hugged Zhang Lilian and Ji Ze tightly, choking a little.
She didn't come from a wealthy family, but countless times, she felt how good it was to be her parents' daughter.
Soon, the final exam of Nancheng Dance School came. This would be Ji Tiantian's last exam in this school.
She looked at the test paper handed to her, cheered herself up, and concentrated on writing down the answers.
The final exam of the dance school was still a combination of dance and cultural courses. Ji Tiantian did well in both exams and did not fall behind in any of them. Teacher Shen called Zhang Lilian to praise Ji Tiantian.
Then Ji Tiantian received a lot of loving New Year's money. In order to save time, she had to go to the capital to celebrate the New Year.
A few days later, it was time for Ji Tiantian and her mother to leave for the capital. The two coaches were waiting for them in the capital, but Tang Yi came to South City alone and went to the capital with Ji Tiantian.
Before leaving, he formally said goodbye to Coach Ma and other people he had contact with in South City.
"Isn't it troublesome for you to go back and forth like this?" Ji Tiantian and Zhang Lilian arrived at the airport and saw Tang Yi who had been waiting there.
"I won't have the chance to come here for a long time." Tang Yi paused, "I miss it a little."
Ji Tiantian quickly understood what he meant. In his previous life, Tang Yi came to South City from the capital after retiring and settled down.
The capital witnessed his long athletic career, while South City was the beginning of another chapter in his life.
Of course, he would miss it a little.
"I just remembered not long ago that you are going to take the high school entrance examination this year." Ji Tiantian came back to her senses and spoke softly.
In 2011, Tang Yi graduated from junior high school and entered high school. The ordinary middle school he attended was different from Ji Tiantian's six-year dance school. Although he had the extra points of a professional athlete, he could not avoid the fiercely competitive high school entrance examination.
Ji Tiantian frowned and thought carefully: "I can't remember how many points you got in the high school entrance examination in your last life."
"..." Tang Yi suddenly felt an unprecedented sense of urgency from Ji Tiantian's words, "That's not important."
"Why is it not important? You have to study hard." Ji Tiantian frowned and looked at Tang Yi, "We all have to make the future better, do you know?"
Tang Yi was silent for a long time before he spoke: "Actually, I think I lived a pretty good life in my previous life."
Ji Tiantian stared at him with her round eyes, with the four big words "You are hopeless" written in her eyes.
"Blame me, I just remembered." Ji Tiantian took a deep breath and spoke in a sullen voice. Tang Yi, a junior high school student, not only did not study hard in the capital, but also traveled between the capital and South City. Ji Tiantian felt that she was responsible for this. She thought about it and realized that she had never seen Tang Yi open a textbook in front of her.
"After we go to the capital, I will make sure you study hard and make up for the half semester you missed." Ji Tiantian looked at Tang Yi seriously, "You have to prepare well for the high school entrance exam, do you hear me? You can't bring shame to our group."
"Yeah." Tang Yi nodded, "Speaking of the group, has the group name been confirmed in the forum?"
"Don't mention this again!" Ji Tiantian glared angrily at Tang Yi who was smiling.
"Tiantian!" At this moment, Chen Yusheng's energetic voice came.
Ji Tiantian looked in the direction of the voice, and saw Chen Yusheng's figure suddenly enlarged. She hugged Ji Tiantian tightly and didn't let go.
"You have to take good care of Tiantian, she is my best friend." Chen Yusheng looked up at Tang Yi, speaking in a society elder sister's tone, "If anything happens to her, no matter where you run to, I will never let you go!"
Ji Tiantian felt her nose getting a little sour. In her previous life, Chen Yusheng and Tang Yi said the same thing at their wedding.
"Don't worry." Tang Yi said sincerely, "The one among us who is more likely to get into trouble is me."
Ji Tiantian turned around and glared at Tang Yi. What’s the matter? I told you to do well in the high school entrance examination, but you failed?
"You have to take good care of yourself in the future." Ji Tiantian looked at Chen Yusheng and showed a somewhat sad smile, "Yusheng, thank you for always being with me. I will come back, and our dream of establishing a dance troupe together... I will always remember it."
In their previous life, they spent six years together in dance school, but unfortunately, in this life, they had to be separated for some time.
"What are you talking about! You've always been with me!" Chen Yusheng poked Ji Tiantian's forehead. "If you hadn't encouraged me all the time, I wouldn't have the confidence to apply for the dance school. If it weren't for you... I wouldn't know how to skate. Because of you, I've seen a lot of beautiful scenery that no one else has seen. Ji Tiantian, I'm so proud to be your friend."
Chen Yusheng looked at Ji Tiantian, and Ji Tiantian also looked at her, and they smiled at each other.
"Yu Sheng, if your family wants to invest, I think the Internet is a good investment." Ji Tiantian thought about it and said, "Anyway, ask your parents to be cautious and not to invest all their money casually. Don't trust relatives you don't know. Such relatives can cause terrible losses."
Ji Tiantian certainly would not forget the failed investment that happened to Chen Yusheng's family before her rebirth. Chen Yusheng's parents listened to her uncle's advice and invested in a factory, but the relatives and the factory director ran away with the money. This was undoubtedly the last straw that broke the camel's back for their dance troupe, which was in a difficult period of survival.
It’s too early to say this now, but Ji Tiantian thinks that she should still remind them as early as possible.
"Well, I'll remember your words." Chen Yusheng looked at Ji Tiantian's eyes that were still flashing with worry, and couldn't help but smile, "It's different after joining the national team. I haven't seen you so worried before. Well, if there is any big movement in my family, I will let you know. That's all right, right?"
Ji Tiantian nodded vigorously. Then she suddenly turned to look at Ji Ze who came to see her off, and said seriously: "Dad, I think the Internet will develop very well in the future. You are alone at home, think about online teaching, it will definitely be useful in the future."
"Really?" Ji Ze was a little surprised, "Who told you that?"
"Just do as I say." Ji Tiantian puffed her cheeks.
"That's right, listen to your daughter. She is smarter than you. She also knows that the house price will go up, but you just said you wanted to sell it without thinking." Zhang Lilian echoed while touching her daughter's tender face.
"I was just talking casually..." Ji Ze felt aggrieved.
The atmosphere in the family was particularly harmonious. Ji Tiantian shifted her gaze and inadvertently saw Wang Hao standing beside them.
Wang Hao was Ji Tiantian's partner at the Nancheng Dance Academy High School, and they were not particularly close. He never joined the group that saw Ji Tiantian off, and just stood on the sidelines awkwardly. It seemed that if Ji Tiantian didn't notice him, he wouldn't come to talk to her.
Ji Tiantian looked at Wang Hao and walked over with a sweet smile, "Thank you for coming to see me off and to watch my game."
Wang Hao touched the back of his neck somewhat unnaturally, and spoke after a while: "If you have any difficulties, come back to me."
"She won't encounter any difficulties." Tang Yi walked behind Ji Tiantian and spoke.
"It'd be better." Wang Hao was silent for a moment, then walked forward and looked at Tang Yi closely. "Since you took her away from me, take good care of her."
Ji Tiantian was stunned for a moment, and only heard Chen Yusheng's soft shouts of watching the fun in her ear.
"Don't worry about it." Tang Yi continued in a calm voice.
Ji Tiantian looked anxiously at Wang Hao, who looked dissatisfied, and Tang Yi, who looked calm. Fortunately, although the atmosphere around them was a little weird, the two did not behave excessively.
And just like that, the lively farewell ended.
Ji Tiantian, Zhang Lilian and Tang Yi said goodbye to everyone and boarded the plane to the capital. When the plane took off, Ji Tiantian's eyes became moist.
Of course she would be reluctant to leave, because in her previous life, she had never left her hometown, Nancheng.
This time, she embraced the change without hesitation.
It will get better, she said to herself.
After the plane landed, Ji Tiantian and Zhang Lilian checked into a motel near the airport, while Tang Yi went back to his home. The next day, Tang Yi came to pick up Ji Tiantian to go to the ice rink used by the national team, while Zhang Lilian went with the agent to look for a house to rent.
"Well... everyone is easy to get along with, right?" Ji Tiantian followed behind Tang Yi, feeling a little nervous.
"You'll know soon." Tang Yi said, and pushed open the door of the ice rink.
A gust of cold air hit me in the face.
"Ji Tiantian! Welcome to join the national team!" Suddenly a loud voice sounded.
Ji Tiantian was startled. She looked in the direction of the voice and saw a group of pretty boys and girls standing in a row, looking at her with joy in their eyes.
"Welcome, welcome, warm welcome!" everyone shouted together, their voices filled with excitement.
"Hello... hello..." Ji Tiantian was a little flattered.
"We have been training for a long time and haven't encountered anything new. Your coming is just the right time to give everyone something new." Xu Chi walked over to Ji Tiantian with a smile and said, "These people in front of you are from the youth group, from various events. The adult group is making final preparations before the Four Continents, so they can't come over to welcome you." As he said that, he and Ji Tiantian looked at the figure speeding on the ice.
There were adult figure skaters in four events who were making their final sprint. Ji Tiantian also saw Wei Chang's group.
The sound of ice skates cutting through the ice and the coach's instructions could be heard from the ice surface from time to time, making Ji Tiantian, who had just reported in today, feel a strong sense of nervousness.
"No...it's okay." Ji Tiantian said immediately, "In fact, you don't have to come to welcome me..."
"What's the big deal? We'll be a family from now on." The young man who had taken the lead in welcoming us smiled brightly.
"This is the young men's singles player Ning Huai. If you follow figure skating, you should know him." Xu Chi pointed at the boy and introduced him to Ji Tiantian. "He is 14 years old this year. He performed very well last year and won third place in the World Youth Championship."
Ji Tiantian: "Wow! That's amazing!"
Xu Chi pointed to a boy and girl and continued to introduce them: "These two are Yu Sha and Gao Zhe who skate in pairs. They are called the Shark and Jellyfish by ice fans, or the seafood group for short. They are both 16 years old this year, and their best result in the World Junior Championships was No. 1 in the world."
Ji Tiantian: "Wow! That's amazing!"
Ji Tiantian looked at Tang Yi beside her with some trepidation.
Before coming here, she was not unaware of the level of the national team's four figure skating events, but only now did she truly feel the feeling of being surrounded by big names.
Tang Yi gave her an encouraging look, implying that she should get used to it quickly.
Ning Huai walked over, crossed his arms and looked at Ji Tiantian. The boy's tone was full of vicissitudes: "It's not easy. Brother Yi finally found a suitable dance partner."
Yu Sha also came over and patted Gao Zhe beside her: "Tiantian, if Tang Yi has done anything wrong to you, don't go to Xiaokouchangkai, just come to us. Gao Zhe is strong and can help you deal with him." The strength of the male partner of pair skating should not be underestimated.
Gao Zhe nodded and said, "You can also call me when you need to move things."
"That's great. We finally have hope for ice dancing."
"Let's go out and play together sometime."
Everyone surrounded Ji Tiantian, looking at the new ice dancer like a fledgling. Ji Tiantian was small to begin with, and she was also a rare ice dancer. Everyone looked at her with double the love and affection.
Ji Tiantian was being stared at by the big boss and didn't dare to move.
Finally, Tang Yi came over and silently pulled Ji Tiantian out of the crowd. Ji Tiantian breathed hard.
"Yidong, are you in a bad mood today?" At this time Jiang Lin came over and spoke to a girl not far away.
"No..." The girl lowered her head and was reluctantly led by Jiang Lin to Ji Tiantian.
"This is Ye Yidun, he's 13 years old, about the same age as you. This is his first time participating in the World Youth Championship. His skills are pretty good among his peers. You two should communicate more." Jiang Lin said.
Ji Tiantian silently looked at Ye Yidun, who kept his head down and was unwilling to make any eye contact with her.
She had browsed figure skating forums before and was familiar with the current situation of figure skating. The strongest team was naturally pairs, followed by men's singles. After the most promising seeded player Qian Xiyue left the field due to lack of growth, women's singles had been lacking in talent. But overall, they were still strong, at least better than ice dancing, which had never achieved results in international competitions.
Since she was selected to participate in the World Youth Championship, it means that Ye Yiddong is currently one of the most competitive women's singles youth players.
"I'm going to warm up." After Ye Yiddong said that, he broke away from Jiang Lin's hand and went to put on his ice skates, with no intention of saying hello to Ji Tiantian at all.
Jiang Lin was not Ye Yidong's coach, so it was not easy for her to say anything. She just told Ji Tiantian that Ye Yidong was in a bad mood recently and asked Ji Tiantian not to take it seriously.
Ji Tiantian could feel that Ye Yidong didn't like her very much.
Ji Tiantian thought about it and felt that Ye Yidong had many reasons to dislike her. They were all little girls, and Ji Tiantian's arrival would take away the favor of the big guys who had originally focused on her.
In addition to the young players who have already achieved results in international competitions, the national team also has some substitutes who are quietly practicing and waiting for the quota to be allocated to them. Ji Tiantian greeted them one by one, and then warmed up with Tang Yi and prepared to go on the ice.
The World Youth Championship is getting closer and they don’t have much time left.
Representing the country in the competition is certainly a matter of pride. However, considering the huge gap between the country and the world's top teams, in addition to pride, Ji Tiantian also feels that she has a heavy burden on her shoulders.
Under the coach's instructions, she and Tang Yi quickly entered the practice state.
During the break, Ji Tiantian noticed Ye Yidong's gaze towards her. Ji Tiantian looked over, but Ye Yidong quickly turned his gaze away.
Ji Tiantian thought about it and felt that she was a new member of the team after all, so she should be more proactive. After drinking the water, she skated in front of Ye Yidong and looked at her: "Do you have any opinion about me?"
"I just don't like you." Ye Yidong was very direct. She didn't look at Ji Tiantian, and her childish voice was unusually cold: "You replaced Sister Xiyue's position."
Ji Tiantian was silent. So that's how it was. She also knew that Qian Xiyue's influence in the women's singles team had always been great. Even if she left, this influence would still exist.
Although the fact is that Qian Xiyue left first and Ji Tiantian teamed up with Tang Yi later, some ice fans and people in the circle still think that she stole Qian Xiyue's position as the ice dance partner.
These people may not know the truth, and the reason they are stubborn is nothing more than that they don't accept Ji Tiantian. How can Qian Xiyue, who has practiced ice dancing for less than a year, do well in something that she can't do well?
The results of the National Championships cannot completely convince these people.
Ye Yidong should be the same. He just doesn't accept it.
"Then what will it take for you to like me?" Ji Tiantian asked with a blink of her eyes.
"You're quite a weird person." Ye Yidong frowned and turned to look at Ji Tiantian. "Then let's have a competition. If you win, I'll respect you."
Their movements were naturally noticed by others. Tang Yi slid over, and Ye Yidong sneered at Ji Tiantian when he saw this: "Are you only good at hiding behind men?"
Tang Yi paused and looked at Ji Tiantian silently, wanting to see how she would deal with this matter.
"Brother Yi..." Ning Huai also slid over, looked at Tang Yi, and asked with his eyes if he needed his help.
Tang Yi shook his head slightly.
"Okay, what do you want to compete in?" Ji Tiantian asked. She looked at Ye Yidong's unconvinced eyes and thought that although this girl didn't like her and was arrogant, she looked quite upright and would not give her any problems.
"Let's compete in the backward crab walk." Ye Yiddong's crisp voice echoed on the ice.
The crab step with a backward tilt is to skate with the lower body maintaining a wide one-step, with the knees spread out and the body squatting, while the hands are over the head and the upper body leaning back as close to the ice as possible. The wider the knees are, the greater the squat, and the greater the backward tilt, the better it looks. This posture often appears in single skating.
There are no individual bows and Biellmann spins in ice dancing, but these two spinning postures will be integrated into the double rotation of ice dancing.
The same is true for the crab step. The crab step posture, which is common in ice dancing, is also performed by two people in coordination.
The man and woman stand back to back, the woman does a crab step, leans back until her shoulders rest on the man's legs, and the man does the same, and the two skate in this posture for a while. This action usually appears in the connection between choreographed footwork and technical movements.
Because the current skating choreography does not involve the crab step for two people to work together, Ji Tiantian and Tang Yi have never done it. Ji Tiantian has never practiced it before.
However, Ji Tiantian often does the two movements of squatting with a wide step and bending backward.
The crab walk is a combination of these two basic movements.
Ji Tiantian thought about it and felt that it was not particularly difficult.
"Let's do the crab walk together and see who can last longer. But the posture must be accurate," Ye Yidun added.
"No problem, as you say." Ji Tiantian nodded. She thought she really needed an opportunity to prove herself here.
So the two little girls kept a distance from each other under the gaze of others and started the competition.
They turned their backs to the center of the ice and began to skate in a wide position, then squatted and leaned back at the same time, slowly bringing their upper bodies closer to the ice, and their hands and necks stretched freely with their body postures.
This is a powerful and beautiful movement, and it does require strength. Both the leg muscles and the core strength of the waist and abdomen are essential.
Ji Tiantian strengthened these muscles through daily dance training when she was young.
She is very confident in her body control, which is the foundation of a dancer.
The skates slid across the ice quickly. Ji Tiantian spread her legs out, bent her waist backwards to the extreme, and stretched her hands above her head. She lowered her eyes slightly, like a swan spreading its wings, slender but with a hint of toughness.
Ye Yido turned her head from time to time and looked at Ji Tiantian who was skating beside her, with a bit of surprise in her eyes.
She had indeed never encountered an ice dancer with such strong power.
-over-
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