Chapter 101 101 After all the hardship comes happiness
“Welcome back to the second day of the figure skating team competition. Today we will be competing in the ice dance rhythmic dance and the women’s short program. After that, the five countries that have entered the finals will take the lead in the pairs free skating competition.”
The team competition schedule is quite tight. After a one-day break, the qualifying rounds and finals will be held on two consecutive days.
This is also the reason why some less comprehensive national teams may not send their strongest players in the qualifying stage. Since there is no hope of winning medals, it is better to focus all your energy on a single event.
However, the Chinese team did not slack off at all.
Even though the upcoming ice dancing is the Chinese team's weakest event, everyone still has high hopes for it.
"It's actually not easy for the Tang Meng/Li Zishi duo to be able to compete to this point! They have really been catching up with foreigners in the past few years, and their technical level has improved visibly."
"I analyzed the lineups of various countries. The good news is that except for the three teams of Russia, Canada and the United States, the other players do not have a clear advantage. As long as ice dancing can maintain the top five and fight for the top four, the hope of winning the championship is still great!"
He Hui even learned Tang Meng's special prayer gesture dance and performed it for her before she went on stage.
Tang Meng: "...Thank you?"
"You're welcome." Miss He smiled cheerfully at Tang Meng, "Try to get fourth place!"
Tang Meng instantly felt that the pressure was like a mountain that could not be moved, pressing her down to the point where she could not breathe. The closer she got to her appearance, the paler Tang Meng's face became, and there were even beads of sweat on her forehead.
He Hui noticed the emotion behind Tang Meng's smile, put his hand on hers, and said, "Actually, fifth, sixth, seventh, or eighth place is fine."
Tang Meng raised her eyes and looked at He Hui, and tears suddenly welled up in her eyes.
"Although I know that you are trying to comfort me, He Hui, but...thank you." He Hui could feel that Tang Meng's hands were even trembling slightly.
So, He Hui held Tang Meng's trembling hand more tightly and gave her affirmative energy.
"No matter what place you get, we will be proud of you." He Hui whispered in Tang Meng's ear, "It's not just a consolation."
Tang Meng smiled, but couldn't control herself and kept taking deep breaths.
But He Hui could see that Tang Meng's eyes before he left to prepare were more determined and confident than before.
"Next is the rhythmic dance performance by our country's ice dancers Tang Meng/Li Zishi. This year marks the tenth year for this duo to enter the adult group, and Pyeongchang is their second trip to the Winter Olympics." Bai Ying's voice was full of expectation, "I hope this time they can break through themselves again and achieve new milestones."
Tang Meng and Li Zishi held each other's hands on the court, said "Come on" in a voice that only they could hear, and then stood still as usual, facing the audience around them.
Tang Meng has listened to the music from the Winter Olympics season countless times, and her ears are covered with calluses.
But when I stood in the center of the ice rink and heard the music, all the hairs on my body seemed to stand up.
It's a completely different feeling.
It’s different from practice, it’s different from other competitions, and it’s different from four years ago.
But muscle memory took back control of Guo's body almost exactly, guiding Tang Meng and her male partner to walk hand in hand on the ice rink and complete the opening lifting action.
"It's a very beautiful opening! Let's see how synchronized the two people's steps are next."
Tang Meng felt that her wandering state was being pulled back little by little.
She looked into her partner's eyes, felt his trust, and separated to complete a series of smooth and synchronized steps.
The performance of the two people was full of tension, and with the background of human voice, they led the audience into the different world of ice dance.
"This is my first time watching ice dancing, and I came to watch it because of the team competition, but I felt it was so passionate and energetic! Although there were no jumps, I felt my blood boiling for some reason!"
"Me too. I got into figure skating because I saw a collection of amazing quad jumps by women on the Internet. Now I find so many interesting things!"
Amid the applause of the crowd, two pairs of skates cut out unique patterns on the field, with ice flowers flying everywhere. The hems of the suits and skirts swayed in the wind to the rhythm of the music, creating a romantic and exciting atmosphere.
He Hui stared blankly at the two people dancing on the ice from the sidelines.
This is a dreamy, all-consuming, heart-touching dance.
When the last note fell, Tang Meng and Li Zishi hugged each other excitedly in the center of the venue.
Bai Ying was very excited: "Congratulations to the Tang Meng/Li Zishi duo for performing at their best and completing a wonderful rhythmic dance!"
In the Chinese team's box, Bian Jing was the first to roar at a high decibel, followed by various banners, posters and small loudspeakers, showing full team spirit.
On the court, Tang Meng and Li Zishi felt each other's breath and heartbeat. Their arms were tightly clasped, Li Zishi exerted so much force that the veins on the back of his hand bulged, while Tang Meng rested her head on Li Zishi's shoulder, tears streaming down her face.
"It seems like we are really not holding back anymore." Tang Meng's murmur was nasal.
Li Zishi's hands patted Tang Meng's back rhythmically: "Yes..."
It was a hug that had nothing to do with love, but a true expression of feelings after two people completed all the actions together.
Amid the applause of the audience, Tang Meng and Li Zishi held hands and bowed. Then, Tang Meng turned around with Li Zishi's left hand as a fulcrum and greeted the audience on the other side again.
"Congratulations!" "Welcome back!" "Tang Meng/Li Zishi, you are the best!"
As soon as they returned to the Chinese team's box, everyone applauded and cheered non-stop, surrounding Tang Meng and Li Zishi. Bian Jing even took out a bunch of ribbons and laser films from somewhere and sprinkled them on their heads.
With the whole team expecting, Tang Meng/Li Zishi finally stood out in the second echelon, taking the precious fourth place and earning another 7 points for the Chinese team.
Tang Meng's tears burst out again after seeing the final ranking, and she hugged He Hui and cried loudly.
"You don't know, I was so nervous at that time!" Tang Meng held He Hui tightly, "I did my first move completely by instinct!"
"That means all the practice you did was not in vain. You really did it."
"I... all the hardship I endured was not in vain!" Tang Meng poured out the beans called hardship like a child, "You don't even know how much I..."
He Hui let her hold her, even though she felt it was now difficult for fresh air to enter her chest.
"After all the hardship comes happiness." He Hui comforted softly.
"Wow." After hearing this, Tang Meng felt that all the grievances were released at this moment, and she cried like a child uncontrollably.
When she was crying until bubbles came out of her nose, Tang Meng finally let go of He Hui and looked for a tissue.
Tang Meng's eyes have been tearful or red since the results were announced. She still hasn't recovered until the three women's short program started.
"The athlete we sent for the women's short program in this team competition is Tan Ling. In the absence of 3A, she put all three jumps in the second half to try to get a higher BV."
Bai Ying glanced at the competition list and couldn't help but smile with relief: "Coincidentally, the Russian Olympic delegation and the American team also sent the No. 2 player."
The Russian team represented by Lana Sergeyeva and the American team represented by newcomer Becky Shirley, both of whom had similar technical scores to Tan Ling in their short programs.
The only thing that could pose a threat to Tan Ling is——
"However, the Japanese team sent out Yuko Egami who has 3A reserve, but she has been troubled by the problem of Lz blade use." Bai Ying continued to analyze.
Compared to two-time Olympic participant Tang Meng, who was so nervous that she almost couldn't breathe, Tan Ling didn't look like she was participating in her first Winter Olympics.
Tang Meng looked at the calm Tan Ling with admiration: "How did you manage not to be nervous at all?!"
Tan Ling looked at the tears in Tang Meng's eyes and didn't want to discourage her.
So, she shook her head and looked at Tang Meng as sincerely as possible: "No, no, no, I'm actually nervous too."
Tang Meng: “???”
Tan Ling: "So, can you do a ritual for me to bless me to get good grades?"
Tang Meng: “…”
Although Tang Meng was extremely unhappy about this, she still performed the gesture dance for Tan Ling obediently.
Tan Ling nodded sincerely to show that she had received it, and then went on stage.
"Tan Ling will be the first to go on stage. Let's look forward to her performance."
Although they were not the biggest opponent He Hui, the Russian, American and Japanese teams next to the Chinese team all sat up straight.
Tan Ling stood in the middle of the ice rink, feeling the gazes from all directions, and only then did she slowly feel her heartbeat quicken.
She took a deep breath and opened her arms to welcome the first competition of her first Winter Olympics.
The lyrical and slow notes fell, and Tan Ling's short program began.
"Like the athletes of the Russian Olympic delegation this year, Tan Ling chose to arrange all three jumps in the second half of the choreography." Bai Ying said, "But Tan Ling's expressiveness is still very strong, even in the presentation of rotations and steps, it is very contagious."
The rhythm of the music changed and the allegro part came.
Tan Ling received the signal and instantly took off on the ice like a bird spreading its wings.
"3Lz+3Lo jumps, the first jump uses the tano posture, the second jump is very neat, and the landing number is also no problem."
The most difficult Advanced Level 33 was over, and Bai Ying and the audience in front of the TV felt relieved.
"Tano3F has a good height and uses the blade very cleanly!"
“The following tano 2A was completed easily.”
At this point, all three jumps were completed, and Tan Ling was spinning in the center of the field, ending her Winter Olympics debut.
It was not until she was surrounded by applause that Tan Ling felt the reality of the Winter Olympics, and her heartbeat accelerated to its fastest speed.
The Winter Olympics, which was originally out of reach, is now vividly and vividly displayed before her eyes.
The doll fell from the sky and her teammates hugged her. Bian Jing continued to throw ribbons, while Tan Ling let the colorful ribbons fall on her hair.
"76.03 points!" Bai Ying couldn't help but exclaimed when she saw the score, "Tan Ling got a very competitive score and is currently ranked first."
Such a high score shocked the opponents nearby, and they started talking about it.
Yuko Egami came on stage next, and she challenged a 3A at the beginning.
Tan Ling's grip on He Hui's hand tightened inexplicably.
With a swish, Yuko Egami jumped up from the ground, and everyone looked at her with burning eyes.
And the next second.
With a bang, Yuko Egami fell on the ice, and cries of regret were heard everywhere.
She failed to complete the triple axel, Lz was still caught with a wrong edge, and there was only one 3F single jump arranged in the second half, so Yuko Egami's score was not ideal.
She sat in the box, her eyes red, and cast a glance in the direction of the Chinese team.
He Hui leaned close to Tan Ling's ear and said, "Well done."
Next was the American team's rookie Becky Shirley, who performed fairly well but was slightly inferior in difficulty, and failed to surpass Tan Ling.
Tan Ling's shoulders relaxed again. Now she could get at least 9 points. The task assigned to her by the team leader before the game to maintain the second place and fight for the first place was successfully completed.
But there is still one last step to go before you can really get the first place which is worth ten points.
“Ahhh, so nervous. The opponent also did the second half of the three jumps. And based on the referee’s treatment this season, I can only say - Tan Ling, danger!”
"But Sergeyeva's F was a mistake. It was super obvious. No matter how much the referee helped, she couldn't get away with the mistake."
"To be honest, Sergeyeva is still a lot worse than Petrova. I try to be optimistic, hahaha."
Amid the endless anticipation of Chinese ice fans, Lana Sergeyeva's show began.
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