Chapter 97 2017 New Season Begins
◎The overwhelming sense of urgency◎
After the free dance, many contestants looked relieved and chatted and laughed with their coaches and teammates. Many female partners spun in circles in the embrace of their male partners.
Regardless of whether the results were ideal or not, the World Championships are finally over, and this season is also over. The seemingly fierce but actually very short battle for the quota has come to an end.
With the help of Jiang Lin, Ji Tiantian fixed her makeup and waited to step onto the podium. At the same time, she looked around.
In this World Championships, the Goose and Canada both sent three pairs of players. According to the rules, if the two pairs with the best scores add up to 13 or less, they can get three places in the Winter Olympics. This time, the Goose and Canada both got three places as they wished. Katerin Ivanov and Mia Lucas met with their teammates, both with happy smiles on their faces.
The World Championships will decide 19 places for the Winter Olympics in ice dance, and another 5 places will be placed in the qualifying rounds in the second half of the year, specifically for countries that did not get a place.
Some are happy, some are sad. The number of places for the World Championships seems to be large, but in fact most of them are taken by the countries ranked in the front. Suzuki and Kotani, who ranked 20th in the free dance this time, failed to qualify for the Winter Olympics. They hugged each other, with bitter tears in their eyes. They can only try their best in the qualifying round.
"Please invite the champion, runner-up, and third-place ice dancers to step onto the podium." A voice came over the radio.
Ji Tiantian and Tang Yi walked hand in hand to the podium in the middle of the ice. Before going on the ice, they met Mia Lucas, Katerin and Ilic who came to congratulate them.
"Congratulations, you've done a great job this season! And you've successfully made your relationship public!" Mia held Ji Tiantian's hand and smiled brightly, "We're looking forward to eating your wedding cake! Right, Lucas?" Mia turned to look at Lucas.
Lucas had a blank expression on his face, as if he hadn't heard anything. He shifted his gaze from Ji Tiantian to Tang Yi, and after a while, he hugged him helplessly: "Tang, you are such a lucky man."
"I think so too." Tang Yi smiled.
"Ceramic doll, congratulations on your good grades and your love. We should communicate more in the future!" Katerin hugged Ji Tiantian tightly, "Come, I will pass on all my good luck in love to you!"
Ji Tiantian: “? No… No, no, no!”
After hugging the other contestants who came to congratulate them, Tang Yi and Ji Tiantian walked hand in hand to the podium in the center of the ice. In order to prevent Ji Tiantian's knee injury from getting worse, Tang Yi supported her with all his strength.
At this time, Judy Jayne, who won the bronze medal, was already standing on the podium.
Ji Tiantian and Tang Yi skated over and hugged them. Both pairs of players had some emotion on their faces. This game was quite dramatic. Judy's group made mistakes, while Ji Tang's group was injured. The final score difference was also very small.
Ji Tiantian knew that she couldn't relax at all. In addition to the small score difference, the fact that she was able to get three places was enough to show that Canada's ice dance reserve force should not be underestimated. They were still a combat-capable aircraft carrier, and she and Tang Yi had to be careful.
"I will try my best in the next game." Judy said to Ji Tiantian who was standing on the silver medal podium.
"Me too." Ji Tiantian nodded, her eyes particularly serious.
Dalia and Nikolay, who finally won the gold medals, skated onto the ice and hugged the athletes who were already standing on the podium.
Dariya Nikolay also failed to get the ideal score due to injury this time, but they finally won three places for the country, and their strength is still very strong. When the two hugged Ji Tang, they had complicated and emotional smiles on their faces.
"Take care of yourself." Dalia said to Ji Tiantian, "See you next season."
"See you next season." Ji nodded sweetly.
The chief referee came on the ice to present medals to the winning players, and then the audience stood up.
As the Russian national anthem played, Ji Tiantian looked up and watched the bright five-star red flag slowly rise.
A season of hard work and practice earned me a shining silver World Championship medal.
Ji Tiantian couldn't help but think back to before the start of this season. At that time, they had just won the fourth place in the World Championships, and they were in a very low mood.
Fortunately, they rose to the challenge and had a good ending.
Ji Tiantian pursed her lips and looked at the bright red national flag with a calm smile.
After the award ceremony, Tang Yi stepped down from the podium first, then carried Ji Tiantian down and helped her walk towards the exit.
"How do you feel?" Tang Yi asked Ji Tiantian in a low voice.
"It's fine." Ji Tiantian lowered her head and touched the silver medal on her chest. She pursed her lips, with a strong fighting spirit in her eyes: "I just hope that I can win the gold medal in the next World Championships."
This match made her feel that the situation on the field is always changing and unexpected. However, she also found that champions are not gods. They make mistakes and suffer from injuries just like her. This made her feel that the world's number one position is not far away. If she keeps moving forward, she may be able to reach the world gold medal she wants.
"Ji Tiantian! Tang Yi!" Just as they were about to reach the exit, another wave of shouts rang out from the audience.
“You are the best!”
“Get well soon!”
Ji Tiantian stopped and looked at the audience.
Just like the previous four continents and many other competitions, this time there were also many Chinese spectators who came to support them, and bright red flags were waving in the audience stands.
"I'll be fine!" Ji Tiantian put her hands to her lips and shouted with all her strength, "Thank you!"
"Sweetie! See you during the Winter Olympics!"
"See you at the Winter Olympics!" everyone continued to shout.
"See you at the Winter Olympics!" Ji Tiantian shouted loudly, raising her face and showing a smile full of anticipation.
The last World Championships before the Winter Olympics season came to an end.
The national team performed well overall. Yu Shagaozhe won first place in ice dance and pairs skating, earning three Winter Olympics spots for the country with other pairs teammates.
Ning Huai won the third place in men's singles and earned two places with other teammates. Ye Yidong ranked 13th in women's singles and earned one place.
After saying goodbye to her fellow athletes from other countries and ice fans, Ji Tiantian and her teammates set off on their return journey.
As usual, she sat in the terminal and browsed the figure skating forum. After the World Championships, a special discussion building for ice dancing was built.
Topic content: Silver medal in hand! Tiantang is awesome! Ahhh, so excited! Tiantang has worked so hard, running in competitions this season, but the results don't disappoint them! Ahhhh, the Winter Olympics are coming! Time flies! Does anyone predict their results in the Winter Olympics season?
1L: I'm just a Buddhist. Although Tiantang's condition is not the best, she performed steadily in the World Championships. The Ellie team has also been quite stable. I'm already very satisfied. They just need to keep up in the new season and not get injured. What's the point of having a bicycle?
2L: I feel like the ice dance has not had a lot of ups and downs? A silver medal at the World Championships, so I should get that silver medal at the Winter Olympics as well. A gold medal at the World Championships, so I should get a gold medal at the Winter Olympics as well.
3L: Yes, we have secured the silver medal in ice dance this time! Come to think of it, after Victoria and William left, Tiantang should rise!
4L: Well, that's not necessarily the case. The North American referees should really want to pull our players and Goose One down, but their players are still a little bit behind in terms of skills and can't be helped up for now. I don't know what the situation will be like next season.
5L: Judy Jayne's performance is too unstable, up and down. The American No. 1 pair seems to have been living in the shadow of our players this season, and their performance has not been ideal throughout the season.
6L: Hahaha, the above person is right! American No. 1 never thought that hip-hop, invented in North America, would be so well developed in our country. I have lost confidence after being hit.
7L: Tiantang has perfectly demonstrated what it means to perfectly interpret Western and Eastern dances this season! It’s amazing. In my mind, they are the best ice dancers!
8L: He is also a cultural leader who exports culture!
9L: But then again, I am a little worried that Canada No. 1 and America No. 1 will suddenly rise in the Winter Olympics season. They have a P-point advantage, and as long as their technology continues to improve...
10L: If they improve, won’t we improve too? Once Tiantang recovers from her injury, it will be easy for her to keep her position!
11L: Exactly! I always believe in Tiantang!
12L: Hehe, I think, if Tiantang continues to improve in the new season and makes it impossible for the North American players to catch up, and then Dalia and the others make some mistakes... maybe they can dream of winning the Winter Olympic gold medal?
13L: Gold medal!! Woohoo, I'd better not dream anymore. I'll just pray that Yifatiantian's injury heals quickly.
14L: Actually, I think it doesn’t matter what color medal they win in international competitions. Their program and the ideas they want to convey are what are the most important.
15L: Yes! Looking forward to the new season of Tiantang!
16L: Yeah. Well, I am a little disappointed. I feel like Tiantang just focused on the competition after the official announcement, and didn’t have a chance to have a sweet relationship. The two of them just posted their Weibo posts but didn’t show any sweetness.
17L: Yes. I asked Ning Huai about it during the men's singles competition, and he said he had never seen Tiantang go out on a date, he was just competing, training, and rehearsing the ballet.
18L: I feel so sad. I hope the two geese can have a good time after the World Championships!
However, after Ji Tiantian returned to China, she really couldn't play. After discussing with the team doctor and coach, Ji Tiantian quickly went to the hospital to make an appointment for knee surgery. She had to replace the damaged ligament with an artificial ligament. This operation is not uncommon among athletes and is a minor operation. Before the operation, she stayed at home to try not to move her knee.
Ye Yidong also needs to undergo surgery. Everyone wants to deal with the injury as soon as possible before the new season starts so as not to affect the game.
Ji Tiantian rested alone in the small apartment, occasionally making video calls with Chen Yusheng and Zhang Lilian to entertain herself. Zhang Lilian wanted to come and take care of her, but she refused. Now she is not completely unable to move, but after the operation, she may need Zhang Lilian's care.
Being alone was a bit boring. Ji Tiantian opened the chat software and clicked on the chat window with Tang Yi, thinking about what to talk about.
Their last conversation ended in the morning. Tang Yi sent her a long surgical precaution before going to class, and in the blink of an eye it was already dusk.
Ji Tiantian thought that Tang Yi should have finished his class by now. She hesitated for a while and sent a message: "Are you lonely?"
"?" Tang Yi replied with a question mark.
Ji Tiantian licked her lips and continued typing: "I'm free now. If you're lonely, I can keep you company. Do you want to come find me?"
Tang Yi: “…”
Tang Yi quickly sent himself to Ji Tiantian's small apartment so that she could accompany him.
As soon as Tang Yi entered the room, Ji Tiantian gave him a warm hug. Looking back, she also found it incredible. After they confirmed their relationship at the end of 2015, it was the first time they had so much time to be intimate like a normal couple.
Ji Tiantian and Tang Yi were very affectionate. The anxiety and uneasiness brought by the surgery and the new season dissipated under the comfort of their lover. In order not to hurt Ji Tiantian's injury, Tang Yi did not take the last step and took a long cold shower alone. That night, Tang Yi made a simple and delicious dinner for Ji Tiantian, and then hugged her to sleep.
Ji Tiantian slept soundly. When she woke up in the morning, she found herself still surrounded by Tang Yi's strong arms. She felt a sense of peace for no reason. These arms could hold her up steadily on the court and give her the comfort she wanted off the court.
She couldn't help but move closer and give Tang Yi a hug.
Tang Yi was a light sleeper. He opened his eyes when he felt Ji Tiantian's movements and continued to stay close to her.
"You said that in the last life, I didn't like the real you." Ji Tiantian suddenly thought of something, looked into Tang Yi's eyes and asked, "Are you sure now that I like the real you?"
"I'm still not sure." Tang Yi lowered his eyes, and after a moment of silence, he looked at Ji Tiantian again and smiled gently, "But it doesn't matter. What's important is that I will always be by your side."
He was still not sure that he could get what he had wanted for so long so easily. But that didn't matter.
He was sure that for a long time, she would not leave his sight, let him accompany her, let him take care of her. That was enough.
"Tang Yi, you really have some problems." Ji Tiantian couldn't help but smile. But it was these little flaws that made her idol in the previous life become particularly real and a little cute.
Ji Tiantian touched Tang Yi's face with one hand, picked up her phone with the other hand, and swiped it habitually. There was no news on the forum, but there was a sudden quarrel in the Weibo comment area.
"Is Tiantang really a real couple? She told reporters and hosts that she had no intention of getting married, and they have never kissed in front of fans. It seems like their relationship is quite distant."
"They've officially announced it! It's true!
"There are a lot of meaningless official announcements like this in the entertainment industry, and it's easier to make money by bundling them together for shows and commercial performances."
"Yes, I think so too. Maybe they just announced it to get more attention and make it easier to make money from commercial performances. In fact, it's a fake ship disguised as a real ship."
"How is that possible! The national team won't let them make it official easily! They are serious! Of course they didn't kiss in public because they were shy!"
"Being shy is just an excuse. I also feel like they might be fake. They are all Four Continents champions and silver medalists at the World Championships now. The national team can't control them."
"Well, I'll wait and see. Anyway, I won't believe they are on a real ship until Sweetie throws the marriage certificate in my face."
The comments are constantly refreshing and many people are joining the discussion.
"What do you think?" Ji Tiantian put the phone in front of Tang Yi, "I think what they said makes sense... It seems impossible to refute it."
Although they didn't think too much about it when the official announcement was made, it is true that after the official announcement, they seemed more valuable in the eyes of the clients, and many of them asked them to shoot gg.
Among them are Fortune 500 wedding companies, well-known chocolate manufacturers, high-end wedding dress and suit shops, etc. Due to physical reasons, Ji Tiantian had to refuse these rare opportunities to make money. Tang Yi took some of them by himself, and he was one step closer to his plan to buy a house. Of course, the number of jobs he could take by himself was still quite limited. It was better to have a wider range of choices when he was with Ji Tiantian.
"Ignore them." Tang Yi looked at the comment section and said to Ji Tiantian.
"Yeah, I just feel a little surprised." Ji Tiantian looked at the comment section where the debate was going on, a little dazed.
Because they didn't talk about marriage plans and didn't show obvious affection in public, they were suspected by a wave of people of being a fake couple pretending to be the real one after the official announcement, which she didn't expect.
She has no intention to think about long-term emotional issues now. As for why she didn't kiss in front of the fans, it was of course because she was shy and uncomfortable. In addition, after playing the game with all her heart and soul, she was always exhausted and felt like she had died. In that state, it was difficult for her to enter the sweet atmosphere full of pink bubbles.
"You really don't want to get married?" Tang Yi was silent for a moment and asked Ji Tiantian.
"I don't have that thought right now." Ji Tiantian answered immediately. She paused, turned her head and looked at Tang Yi: "What do you want?"
Tang Yi leaned his head on Ji Tiantian's shoulder and hummed softly. In his previous life, he had a legitimate status, but in this life, he had to be secretive when dating. He has not yet adapted to this gap.
He was silent for a moment, then looked up at Ji Tiantian. "But it's good like this now." He curled up the corners of his mouth and showed a gentle smile, "I will get used to it. When you recover, we will go out and play."
"After the break, the new rules for the season should be out." Ji Tiantian took a deep breath and looked at the ceiling, her expression gradually becoming serious. "I have to prepare well, so I'd better wait until the Winter Olympics are over... before going out to play."
Tang Yi looked sideways at Ji Tiantian's profile, and the smile on his face slowly faded: "Why are you working so hard? The medal that belongs to you will belong to you sooner or later."
"But I want to create an ice dance that will amaze the world as soon as possible." Ji Tiantian said this while staring at the ceiling.
"Wasn't it amazing enough before?" Tang Yi frowned.
"Not enough." Ji Tiantian shook her head, lying flat on her back and slowly reaching one hand towards the ceiling, "But I can feel that my goal is not far away."
Tang Yi was silent for a moment, then reached out and clasped Ji Tiantian's other hand.
"Then go touch it." He whispered in her ear, "I'll hold you up all the time. This way, it will be easier for you to touch it."
"Yeah." Ji Tiantian withdrew her hand, turned sideways and shrank back into Tang Yi's arms, closed her eyes and showed a reassured smile.
After that, Tang Yi stayed in Ji Tiantian's small apartment for two days to take care of her. Then, Ji Tiantian started the operation. On the day of the operation, Zhang Lilian rushed over from South City.
The operation was successful, but Ji Tiantian needed to use a wheelchair for two weeks. After two weeks, she could practice walking normally. During these two weeks, Zhang Lilian lived in the small apartment she bought for Ji Tiantian to take care of her.
A few days later, Ji Tiantian made a decision. She asked Tang Yi to push her wheelchair to the dance troupe's practice rink.
At the ice rink, she saw her best friend and dance troupe leader Chen Yusheng, who had been waiting there for a long time, her former dance partner and core member of the troupe Wang Hao, Lin Aili's braid brother, and many of the troupe's ice troupe actors. Everyone was standing by the ice, and when they saw Ji Tiantian coming, they all quieted down.
At this time, Ji Tiantian had neat black hair, wore a white dress and sat in a wheelchair. A bright smile bloomed on her pretty face, looking tough and beautiful.
Ji Tiantian was silent for a moment, then began her speech: "I originally wanted to start performing Swan Lake on Ice after the World Championships. But due to my health, I was unable to realize this plan."
"It's okay, Tiantian, we'll wait for you!" a dancer from the dance troupe spoke.
"Thank you." Ji Tiantian smiled and nodded, then continued, "Swan Lake on Ice is the highlight of our dance troupe. I don't want the entire troupe to stop performing this show because of me. So I want Lin Aili and the others to replace Tang Yi and me and become the leading actors of Swan Lake on Ice this year. They will lead everyone to complete the performance."
After Ji Tiantian finished speaking, she looked up at Chen Yusheng, who gave her a thumbs up.
Before today, she had discussed this decision with Chen Yusheng and Lin Aili's brother with braids. Now, she was just announcing the resolution to everyone.
"Aili is an excellent ice dancer and has studied ballet. I believe she can be qualified for the leading role." Ji Tiantian turned to look at Lin Aili and spoke with a smile.
Lin Aili nodded to Ji Tiantian, then turned to look at the many dancers in the troupe: "Thank you very much for the opportunity given to me by Tiantian. I will definitely not let you down and perform seriously!"
"Welcome!" Chen Yusheng took the lead and a round of crisp applause rang out.
Ji Tiantian also applauded. Just like that, she had explained everything she wanted to explain. Next, she could focus on healing her injuries and then quietly wait for the new rules of the season to come out.
After the founder’s speech, the ice performers went on the ice for their daily training.
"Thank you, Tiantian. I have always wanted to experience the feeling of performing in an ice dance drama, and now my wish has finally come true." Lin Aili came over and smiled at Ji Tiantian, "But I know that you are irreplaceable to the dance troupe. I and everyone else will wait for you to come back."
“Well, let’s work hard together.” Ji Tiantian nodded.
In Swan Lake, the white swan and the black swan are hostile to each other. But in reality, this is not the case.
They fight together and support their ice and snow world together.
After saying goodbye to Lin Aili and Brother with Bian Zi, Tang Yi pushed Ji Tiantian and prepared to leave.
"Wait a minute." Wang Hao walked over and stopped in front of Tang Yi, looking at him dissatisfiedly, "Tiantian was not easily injured before. Why do you always get hurt when you are here?"
"Ah... skating is more likely to cause injury than dancing." Ji Tiantian explained immediately, "And I didn't pay attention. It has nothing to do with Tang Yi."
"Thank you for your concern." Tang Yi looked at Wang Hao and continued lightly, "However, I care about Tiantian's health more than you do. Whether from the perspective of a dance partner or from the perspective of a boyfriend." He deliberately emphasized the word "boyfriend" and at the same time reached out and gently smoothed the messy hair on Ji Tiantian's shoulders.
"Just speak up for him." Wang Hao glanced at Ji Tiantian, then walked away sullenly.
Ji Tiantian stared at Wang Hao's departing back, then looked up at Tang Yi: "It seems that the atmosphere between you and Wang Hao has not been good since the last life. Is there a grudge between you two?"
Of course not, Tang Yi thought silently. Wang Hao was a secret admirer similar to him, and once made a declaration of love rival in front of him.
"What about you?" Tang Yi lowered his eyes to look at Ji Tiantian, "What do you think of Wang Hao?"
"We are just old friends and colleagues." Ji Tiantian recalled and spoke, "Except for his lack of diligence, he is pretty good in every aspect. What's wrong?"
Ji Tiantian raised her head and looked at Tang Yi in confusion.
Tang Yi looked at Ji Tiantian and couldn't help but smile. It seemed that his little swan was really not good at perceiving other people's feelings towards her.
"Why do you seem so happy all of a sudden?" Ji Tiantian looked at Tang Yi in confusion, "Did you think of something good? Tell me quickly."
"Nothing." Tang Yi pushed Ji Tiantian's wheelchair and strode forward, with a faint smile in his voice, "I just suddenly felt that I am the luckiest person in the world."
I am lucky enough to be with you for two lifetimes and fight side by side with you.
Later, Ji Tiantian spent her 20th birthday surrounded by her parents, dance partners and coaches. In the candlelight, she solemnly made a wish to win more gold medals in the new season.
Then, the ISU issued new rules for the 17-18 season.
Ji Tang's group and coach, as well as Lin Aili's group and their coach, will sit together to discuss the new rules, just like in the past.
On the day of the meeting, Tang Yi pushed Ji Tiantian's wheelchair to the meeting room. Lin Aili and Brother Bianzi both looked at Ji Tiantian with some pity.
Ji Tiantian suddenly felt that the scene in front of her was inexplicably familiar.
She quickly remembered that before the start of the 2013-2014 Sochi Winter Olympics season, Wei Xiao also injured her knee, and it was her male partner Chang Yu who supported her to attend the pre-season meeting.
At that time, she was just like Lin Aili, looking at Wei Xiao with an expression of pity. They were all athletes, and sometimes their fates were surprisingly similar. They could find their past or future selves in each other.
"If I'd worked harder and got two places, we wouldn't have to face this kind of competition among our own people." Ji Tiantian remembered Wei Xiao speaking to her like this at the 2013 National Championships.
Ji Tiantian clenched her hands into fists on the armrests of the wheelchair.
Time flies. Now, they have two places in the Winter Olympics. They don't have to compete fiercely with another group of excellent athletes at home.
Although the trajectories of fate are always surprisingly similar, they always move forward.
Ji Tiantian came back to her senses and gave Lin Aili an unusually bright smile.
"Then let's start today's meeting." Xu Chi looked at the information in his hand and said, "The required rhythm for the short dance this season is Latin rhythm, including cha-cha, rumba, samba, mambo, etc. This time the pattern dance is rumba, so the contestants must choose a matching rumba rhythm dance music. In addition, they can choose 1 to 2 other styles of Latin rhythms to put into the short dance."
"No new rhythm this time?" asked the coach of Lin Aili's group.
"During the Winter Olympics season, with so much attention paid, it may not be appropriate to come up with an experimental new rhythm." Xu Chicheng paused, "But it may also be that several decision-makers at the International Skating Union found that their country's athletes would not benefit from skating with new rhythms like hip-hop. So they decided not to do it."
As soon as he finished speaking, a burst of laughter rang out in the conference room.
"Brother Yi and the boss are awesome." Brother Bianzi couldn't help but sigh. Because of Ji Tiantian's status in ice dance and in the dance troupe, he was used to calling her the boss.
Ji Tiantian and Tang Yi looked at each other and smiled.
Compared with the Sochi Winter Olympics season, the atmosphere of this Winter Olympics season seems less solemn.
As for Latin, they were prepared. In 2011, their first full season, the rhythm of the short dance competition was Latin.
"There are no major changes in the rules this season compared to last season. There is no increase or decrease in technical points and program content points, and the movements are the same. The short dance includes five technical movements: lifts, synchronized twists, pattern dances, pattern derivative steps, and step sequences. The free dance includes a set of synchronized twists, a set of combined rotations, two sets of step sequences, three short lifts, or a short lift and a long lift made up of two short lifts. In addition, two choreographic movements that fit the theme of the free dance must be selected from choreographed twists, choreographed lifts, and choreographed rotations, for a total of nine technical movements."
Xu Chi lit a cigarette, took a deep puff, then looked at Ji Tiantian and Tang Yi, "We have changed some of the minor rules. For example, the short lift time has been changed from 6 seconds to 7 seconds. This way, Canada No. 1, who was prone to lift timeouts in the past, will not be easily deducted points this season."
"We have never had a lifting timeout." Brother Bianzi said in a low voice, "It's good for them, but not for us..."
Ji Tiantian lowered her eyes gently.
Although there is still some time before the Winter Olympics officially starts, she can already feel the urgency coming.
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