Chapter 119: He Was Very Angry

Nadilova was injured midway through her performance and was forced to withdraw from the competition.

Despite this, Shu Ran only secured the silver medal; the champion was Evelyn.

After this competition, those in the figure skating world reached a consensus.

The era of Japan, Canada, and Russia sharing the spotlight was over. The tripartite balance had shattered, leaving Russia as the dominant force.

“We can’t let this continue!” Qin Liubei said earnestly the moment Shu Ran stepped off the plane. “They’ve won gold in two consecutive Winter Olympics. If they take it again next year, the board will have trouble again. So, Shu Ran, it’s up to you.”

Qin Liubei's next words were resolute, causing Shu Ran to smile wryly.

As the car slowed near the dormitory area, Qin Liubei greeted the security guard, who then allowed them through.

Qin Liubei gently pressed the accelerator, dropping them off at the dormitory entrance before driving off.

Shu Ran and Fu Yiqing had little luggage between them—just two suitcases for the two of them.

Just as Shu Ran reached for the handle, Fu Yiqing was a step ahead, taking control of the suitcase.

“I’ve got this,” Fu Yiqing said.

Shu Ran nodded and followed him into the dormitory.

The men’s and women’s dormitories were separate; Shu Ran’s building was two buildings away from Fu Yiqing’s. The dorm supervisors were strict—strange men were never allowed past the entrance.

Even though known men were only allowed to stay for twenty minutes, generally, men were not permitted upstairs. Coaches, however, were the exception.

Having greeted the dorm supervisor downstairs, Fu Yiqing carried the suitcases into the elevator.

He stood at the back, with Shu Ran in front of him on the right. Suddenly, he called her name.

Shu Ran turned to look at him, but Fu Yiqing was silent, staring at her intently.

She was puzzled—what exactly was he looking at?

Being stared at so long made her cheeks flush.

“What are you waiting for?” Fu Yiqing asked. “You haven’t pressed the button for the floor yet.”

“Oh…” Shu Ran suddenly realized, flustered, and hurriedly pressed the button. She felt the elevator begin to rise and let out a small sigh of relief.

“Ding,” the elevator arrived.

Shu Ran gripped her suitcase handle and said goodbye in advance, “I can manage the rest on my own. Coach, you should head back.”

Seeing her start to pull her suitcase out, Fu Yiqing didn’t stop her.

But just as Shu Ran turned, a sharp pain shot through her foot, causing her to frown slightly.

Though worried about her old injury flaring up, she decided to finish unpacking before going to see the team doctor.

She deliberately eased the weight on her right foot, stepping lightly on her toes, then quickly matching pace with her left, limping as she walked.

The elevator doors opened behind her again.

Before she could react, Fu Yiqing stood silently in front of her with a stern expression.

His eyes were clouded with worry, leaving Shu Ran confused.

“Trying to avoid me so I wouldn’t find out?” he asked.

Shu Ran blinked, “Find out what?”

Just as the tension was about to boil over, the elevator doors closed.

Wu Huihui happened to turn toward them and saw the scene. She raised her hand in greeting, not yet noticing the awkward atmosphere. “Wow, Shu Ran, Coach, you’re back…”

Noticing Fu Yiqing’s dark expression, Wu Huihui was about to step forward but quickly turned to the elevator on the left instead. “Glad you’re back. I’m off to train.”

She pressed the elevator button quickly, hoping it would arrive soon so she could escape the tense mood.

Though she said she was leaving, her gaze kept flicking back at the two.

Shu Ran suddenly felt light-headed as Fu Yiqing scooped her up in a sideways embrace, and she cried out, “What are you doing?”

He carried her toward the elevator.

Shu Ran wanted to ask why he was acting so strangely but caught the curious look in Wu Huihui’s eyes.

She wasn’t naive; she knew what this could look like.

Struggling, she said, “Coach, put me down. Can’t we just talk? Do you have to carry me like a princess in front of everyone?”

What if they misunderstood?

She was nervous to bits.

Fu Yiqing glanced toward Wu Huihui.

The latter awkwardly raised her hand. “You’re going downstairs too?” She suddenly felt like a third wheel but couldn’t say so out loud.

Wu Huihui looked away but noticed Fu Yiqing still watching her.

What was going on?

Was she supposed to leave the elevator on her own?

Tentatively, she stretched out a foot. The gaze remained.

Sighing, she resigned herself to getting off.

“Please press the first floor.”

Wu Huihui realized the elevator panel was on her side and quickly pressed the button after pulling her leg back.

The elevator began its descent, the silence making the atmosphere even more awkward.

“Fu Yiqing!”

Shu Ran’s sudden shout surprised even herself. She pressed her lips together. “Let me down.”

Wu Huihui stepped to the right, trying to make herself less noticeable.

Fu Yiqing said sternly, “Are you sure you can walk on your own? Your old injury flared up. How long were you planning to hide it from me?”

His tone was heavy, clearly angry—the consequences were serious.

Suddenly, Shu Ran understood everything.

She sighed and looked at Fu Yiqing. “So you want to take me for a checkup?”

Fu Yiqing snorted. “What else?”

Relieved that he’d clarified, Shu Ran breathed easier. The elevator wasn’t large; Wu Huihui could hear their conversation, so hopefully, there wouldn’t be any misunderstandings.

Wu Huihui also relaxed, laughing at herself for overthinking and thankful she wasn’t a third wheel.

Wait!

Wu Huihui’s reaction was a beat too slow. She looked at Shu Ran in horror. “Your foot injury flared up? Is it serious?”

Shu Ran smiled wryly. “Who said it flared up?”

Wu Huihui rolled her eyes and quickly glanced at Fu Yiqing, who relaxed his furrowed brow slightly. “It didn’t flare up. So why did you try to avoid me and limp like that?”

Shu Ran explained, “It just suddenly ached for a moment, but it’s probably not a flare-up. The pain feels different from before. So Coach, please put me down.”

The hands on her back and behind her knees showed no sign of loosening; if anything, they tightened. “Let’s see what the team doctor says.”

Upon hearing that Shu Ran might indeed have a recurrence of her old injury, Wu Huihui immediately discarded her embarrassment and hurried along with them to see the doctor.

The team doctor’s office lacked hospital equipment, so the three of them drove to a clinic to see Dr. He. After a series of examinations, night had fallen over the city.

The final diagnosis was reassuring.

Dr. He explained that Shu Ran’s foot injury would never fully heal in her lifetime. Occasional sharp pains were normal; only prolonged pain counted as a flare-up.

When she arrived, Shu Ran had been carried in, burying her face in Fu Yiqing’s chest, too shy to look up.

Now, she felt more at ease.

She told herself with relief, “I said it wasn’t a flare-up; I know the difference.”

“So you were trying to hide it from me?” Fu Yiqing pressed.

Shu Ran replied, “At this point, hiding it would be too awkward.”

Hearing this, Fu Yiqing’s worries finally eased. He nodded and headed toward the parking lot. “Get some rest.”

Shu Ran and Wu Huihui followed behind.

Wu Huihui patted her chest. “Good thing you’re okay. If something always happened at the worst times, that’d be terrible luck.”

Shu Ran smiled softly. “If that were the case, I’d just have to accept that gold medals aren’t meant for me.”

Sometimes, luck was part of success.

“Honestly, I’ve realized something just now,” Wu Huihui said thoughtfully, watching Fu Yiqing’s back. “Your coach is really terrifying.”

Her exaggerated expression made Shu Ran laugh, catching Fu Yiqing’s attention. He looked at them in confusion. “What’s going on?”

They both shook their heads, sharing an unspoken understanding—one with a smile, the other with a hint of dread.

With over three months to the World Championships, Fu Yiqing redesigned Shu Ran’s costume and adjusted her program’s difficulty.

The year-end was approaching, but no one mentioned the holiday.

Even Shu Ran’s parents rarely called.

Everyone didn’t want to disturb her training at such a critical time.

One afternoon, after training, Shu Ran suddenly realized she was the only one left on the ice.

Loneliness crept in.

“What do you want to eat today?” a pleasant male voice lifted her spirits.

She turned to see Fu Yiqing, and her heart warmed.

Yes, no matter what, she was no longer training alone; at least Fu Yiqing was with her.

She smiled faintly, taking off her skates thoughtfully. “Yesterday’s meal was pretty good. But why did everyone finish training so early today? Are they all hungry?”

“Maybe,” Fu Yiqing replied.

After changing, Shu Ran followed Fu Yiqing to the cafeteria.

Entering, they found the first floor nearly empty, and Shu Ran was about to ask why when Fu Yiqing headed upstairs.

She called after him, “Where are you going?”

Fu Yiqing answered, “Everyone’s waiting upstairs.”

Her eyes darted around, but she didn’t question it further, simply assuming the team was dining together.

She followed behind Fu Yiqing up the stairs. Just as they rounded a corner, Fu Yiqing stepped aside, and suddenly, a loud pop echoed as a shower of colorful ribbons and glitter cascaded around them.

Startled, Shu Ran blinked and took in the transformed space.

The once sleek, modern cafeteria was now festooned with Chinese knots, firecracker decorations, balloons, and colorful streamers.

The festive atmosphere was unmistakable.

Looking around, all the current women’s singles skaters were present, along with some men’s singles, pairs, and ice dance team members. Each face was bright with joy.

Leading the group, Zhu Hongzhe and others held party poppers—the source of the confetti.

Amid the youthful faces, a middle-aged couple stood out distinctly.

Shu Ran was utterly stunned, then spoke in a daze, “Dad, Mom?”

Nearby, Chen Lecheng and ice dance skater Li Yuanxing climbed atop the tables on either side, grabbing the strings hanging from the ceiling.

With a tug—one to the left, one to the right—two large banners unfurled into Shu Ran’s view.

“The entire nation celebrates Shu Ran’s birthday.”

“All the team members are here to celebrate the New Year with you.”

Shu Ran stood speechless, her mouth slightly open.

The cafeteria erupted in thunderous applause, every face beaming with happiness.

“Happy birthday, Shu Ran! Happy New Year!”

Shu Ran gazed at each person, her eyes lingering on her parents.

Her eyes reddened, holding back tears as she silently called out, “Mom, Dad.”

Then she turned to Fu Yiqing, her expression a mixture of surprise, joy, and bewilderment. “You knew all along!”

Fu Yiqing simply smiled at her, his eyes warm. “It was everyone’s idea.”