Chapter 109: A Secret Resolution

Shu Ran decided to seek clarity. Yet, when the words hovered on her lips, she hesitated, unable to bring herself to knock on Fu Yiqing’s door.

If the team truly intended to reserve that spot for her, Fu Yiqing would have informed her. The truth was, Fu Yiqing had said nothing.

Either she had misunderstood, or Fu Yiqing did not want her to compete.

Her withdrawal from the skating event at the Winter Olympics had not only turned fans into critics but also caused the Ice Skating Association to harbor reservations about her.

Fu Yiqing had also insisted on keeping her return to training under wraps for the time being. Either way, the odds were fifty-fifty.

After a moment’s thought, Shu Ran reached out to Huo Guang.

It had been a long time since she last spoke to him, and nerves stirred as she heard the “Hello” on the other end.

Without beating around the bush, she said, “Coach Huo, this is Shu Ran.”

The incident of her withdrawal had left Huo Guang feeling helpless.

Though others assumed she trained under his supervision, in reality, he couldn’t bypass Fu Yiqing’s authority.

Those above him were unaware of the ISU experiment, and before the Winter Olympics, there had even been suggestions to replace Shu Ran with another skater.

But Huo Guang had assured them that her injury was not severe and that no other female singles skater in the team had better results than her.

After hearing him out, the higher-ups tacitly accepted Shu Ran’s participation.

Her performance, however, proved him wrong, and he bore the brunt of the criticism.

Shu Ran’s subsequent disappearance only deepened his resentment.

Yet, it was Chinese New Year’s Eve, and the joy of family reunions had lifted his spirits.

Assuming Shu Ran was calling to offer New Year’s greetings, his tone softened.

“What’s up, Shu Ran?”

Clutching her phone, Shu Ran hesitated before asking, “Coach Huo, does the women’s singles team still need one more participant for the World Team Trophy in April?”

Huo Guang’s smile froze instantly.

The complaints resurfaced.

After a pause, his tone subtly shifted. “Yes, we’re short.”

Shu Ran: “Then…”

“Shu Ran,” Huo Guang interrupted, “though we’re short, the team can select from provincial squads. But if you want to compete, it will be difficult.”

A pang hit Shu Ran’s heart. Before she could digest the news, he continued: “At the Winter Olympics two years ago, knowing your injury was severe, the General Administration wanted to send another skater. They didn’t know your coach’s intentions were to protect you. It was because I stood up for you that they dropped the idea. And your performance…” He paused, letting her understand.

“Fortunately, Fu Yiqing is your coach, so you don’t need to worry about international competitions. But for this World Team Trophy, even if they have no objections, the public backlash could be fierce.”

Silence stretched on the other end before Huo Guang sighed.

Considering Shu Ran’s coach was Fu Yiqing and recalling how many honors she had won for the national team, human nature was compassionate.

“If you really want to participate, unless you reveal the ISU experiment to the General Administration…”

Shu Ran pressed her lips together.

Having kept silent before, she certainly could not reveal it now.

After a pause, she said, “It’s alright, Coach Huo. You don’t have to comfort me. I admit I was wrong back then.”

Although Fu Yiqing had asked her to withdraw, even if she had stubbornly finished the competition, it would have been the most humiliating performance in history.

In a way, it was better to make the audience angry than disappointed; at least then she could save some face and secure better resources for recovery and training.

But the path to healing was not so simple and had led her astray mentally.

Just as they were about to hang up, Huo Guang suddenly said, “Actually, there might be another way.”

Shu Ran held the receiver closer. “What?”

Huo Guang replied, “You can fight for the spot yourself at the World Championships.”

Shu Ran’s eyes widened. “The World Championships?”

Huo Guang explained, “Yes, the World Championships are in March. If your performance there can restore the Ice Skating Association’s trust in you, it will be much easier for you to represent the national team in future international competitions.”

Subtracting four days for early departure, Shu Ran would have only about forty days to prepare.

Fu Yiqing had his plans and likely wouldn’t agree to her appearing in public while still unstable.

Shu Ran herself was not ready.

“Can I have a few days to think it over?”

Huo Guang smiled gently. “Of course.”

On New Year’s Eve, while countless families gathered beneath bright lanterns, Shu Ran’s heart brimmed with a fresh wave of worries.

The Shu couple returned to City D on the third day.

Had Shu Ran not needed training, they might have stayed longer at Fu Yiqing’s home.

Each day’s training was tedious.

Suddenly, Shu Ran longed for the days when Qin Liubei would lighten the mood with jokes, making the dull hours fly by.

But the next day, not only did Qin Liubei fail to show, Fu Yiqing also left.

Due to the ISU’s abrupt notice, Fu Yiqing had no time to pack.

Half an hour before departure, he told Shu Ran, “Listen carefully, I don’t know how long I’ll be gone. While I’m away, train as usual. Qin Liubei is on his way to headquarters. I’ve informed Xu Jingyu; she should arrive this afternoon or tomorrow morning.”

Shu Ran suddenly felt like a child left at home by traveling parents, instructed on how to manage things alone.

“Got it?”

She nodded obediently.

With Xu Jingyu delayed, Shu Ran warmed up alone in the dance studio.

The room was small, and the bright mirror reflected only her solitary figure, emphasizing the emptiness.

After stretching, she put down her leg, connected her phone to the portable speaker, and chose a song to dance hip-hop.

The lively music and intense moves warmed her body, sweat streaming into her eyes.

She wiped the beads of sweat from her brow with the back of her hand, instinctively moving to the only bench in the room to get a tissue.

But the bench was empty.

She grasped for a tissue but found none.

Suddenly, she realized Fu Yiqing usually brought tissues; without him, she had completely forgotten.

Looking up at her sweat-soaked reflection, she shook her head and smiled wryly.

After warming up, Shu Ran finally stepped onto the ice to practice gliding.

On the vast ice surface, only the sound of her blades cutting the ice echoed, amplified endlessly, intensifying her loneliness.

This solitude eased when Xu Jingyu arrived.

The next morning, during breakfast, Xu Jingyu frowned.

“So, even you don’t know why Qin Liubei and the others went to the ISU?”

Shu Ran nodded. “The notice was too sudden; they probably didn’t have time to explain.”

Xu Jingyu agreed. “Or maybe they don’t even know what’s going on. They were just told to go first… Sigh, no one knows when they’ll be back.”

Her words sparked Shu Ran’s imagination.

After morning training, Xu Jingyu received a call from Qin Liubei.

Repeated questioning revealed that the ISU council was holding its annual meeting.

Listening to their conversation, Shu Ran leaned in.

“If it’s an annual meeting, why was the notice so sudden this year?”

Xu Jingyu, reminded, repeated sternly, “Yes, why?”

A resigned, half-laughing sigh followed before Qin Liubei answered, “It’s about a bet.”

He paused to gather his thoughts and continued, “Quentin and Old Fu are ISU members and should remain neutral, but now they coach the French and Chinese teams respectively. Some suspect their impartiality, which sparked controversy.”

Shu Ran and Xu Jingyu fell silent.

After a long moment, they pressed for more details about the council’s internal situation but were refused.

His voice rare in seriousness, Qin Liubei said, “Shu Ran, Jingyu, it’s not that I won’t tell you, but if I do, it would confirm those suspicions.”

Shu Ran asked, “Then just tell me—did I cause any trouble for Coach Fu?”

Gripping her shirt nervously, she feared Fu Yiqing might face punishment because of her.

A light chuckle came through. “Shu Ran, what are you saying? The bet started before Old Fu even knew you!”

The relaxed tone and laughter eased Shu Ran’s worries.

“Good to hear that.”

Seeing her relax, Xu Jingyu took back the phone and asked, “When will you all return?”

Qin Liubei replied, “Don’t know, maybe about a month.”

At this, Shu Ran felt a sudden urge, quickly ascending the stairs and disappearing from Xu Jingyu’s view.

Still bewildered, Xu Jingyu finished the call and, noticing Shu Ran hadn’t come downstairs, went up to urge her to train.

“Shu Ran, just so you know, even without your coach here, I won’t let you slack off. Training time is training time. Stop staring at the computer…”

Approaching, Xu Jingyu saw a figure skating video playing on the screen.

Leaning closer, she recognized the skater. “Is this… Belous?”

Shu Ran nodded. “Yes, these are the short and free program choreographies he sent me after the Winter Olympics. I didn’t watch them during my suspension year. I started practicing them in June this year—not much yet, but with nearly forty days left, it should be enough.”

Xu Jingyu was puzzled. “Forty days for what?”

This time, Shu Ran didn’t answer immediately.

After watching the video, she said, “I’ve decided to participate in the World Championships in March.”

Xu Jingyu was stunned for half a second before exclaiming, “Shu Ran, Fu Yiqing didn’t say that!”

Seeing Shu Ran silent, Xu Jingyu’s voice rose an octave.

“You’re not planning to compete without telling him, are you? What if he comes back soon?”

Shu Ran shrugged. “Anyway, I’ll just train first. I’m not really eager to compete.”

Xu Jingyu teased, “So you’re counting on me indulging your whims?”

Shu Ran smiled softly, suddenly childlike, and clung to Xu Jingyu’s arm.

Prepared for a wave of cute antics, Xu Jingyu heard Shu Ran pout, “Little goldfish, even if you disagree, I’ve already made up my mind.”

Xu Jingyu was speechless.

Having made her decision, Shu Ran promptly contacted Huo Guang to express her desire to compete at the World Championships.

In the past two years, no female singles skater had outperformed Shu Ran, so Huo Guang welcomed the news—though with mixed feelings.

For someone with a troubled past, no amount of praise outweighed the need for a solid result.