Chapter Thirty-Six: Don't Misunderstand

For this Four Continents Championship, the national team had sent some fresh faces; the only men's singles skater was Zhu Hongzhe. As the rehearsal for the exhibition skate began, Zhu Hongzhe immediately gravitated toward her again.

"Shu Ran, it's been a long time," he greeted.

"Yes, it has," she replied.

As he moved through the group choreography, Zhu Hongzhe chatted with her, "I heard you won a bronze medal—nicely done."

"You did well too, taking gold," she returned.

Zhu Hongzhe scratched the back of his head. "It was all right, but honestly, I'd rather have won gold at the Winter Olympics."

Mentioning the Olympics, Shu Ran grew thoughtful once more.

After rehearsal ended, during lunch, Zhu Hongzhe was still asking where Shu Ran would go to have her programs choreographed during the off-season.

Shu Ran said she didn’t know—she truly didn’t. She only ever knew Fu Yiqing’s training plans, never concerning herself with such things.

"Why not ask your coach?" Zhu Hongzhe suggested.

"Eh? I don’t think that’s a good idea," Shu Ran hesitated, glancing back at Fu Yiqing who was trailing behind. She couldn't say for sure, but she always felt Fu Yiqing seemed to dislike Zhu Hongzhe. If she spent too long chatting with him, would Fu Yiqing end up disliking her as well by association?

Before she could gather her thoughts, Fu Yiqing approached. Zhu Hongzhe stepped forward politely, "Coach Fu, may I ask where Shu Ran will go to choreograph her new program during the off-season?"

Zhu Hongzhe thought this was the most courteous way he’d ever phrased a question, but for reasons unknown, Fu Yiqing’s expression darkened instantly.

"Why do you want to know?"

Zhu Hongzhe, suddenly nervous under his gaze, chuckled awkwardly, "Just curious, that’s all."

Fu Yiqing sized him up with a wary look that lingered for a while before he said not a single word and simply walked off, taking Shu Ran with him.

Zhu Hongzhe was left stunned. He turned to Coach He, who had caught up, "Coach, am I that unlikeable?"

Coach He looked at him. "What’s wrong?"

"I feel like I have this uncanny ability to annoy people just by standing around, even without saying a thing."

Coach He tossed his jacket at him and nodded, "Then congratulations. You’ve finally realized it. From now on, behave yourself and stop bouncing around like a mischievous monkey causing trouble for me!"

"…"

To be honest, this wasn’t Shu Ran’s first exhibition skate, but this time she felt inexplicably nervous. Qin Liubei’s words had given her hope, yet deep down, a voice kept telling her she might actually win this wager.

There were so many skaters who performed beautifully—how could she be the only one the audience noticed and cheered for? She still doubted she had reached the level of attracting a legion of devoted fans.

Even as she prepared to take the ice, the doubt lingered.

Then, as the announcer called her name, she glided onto the rink.

She hadn’t even reached center ice when the crowd erupted into shrieks and applause.

The previous performer had been Zhu Hongzhe, whose good looks and superb skating had earned him quite the following in Japan, so the cheers might have been for him.

Her exhibition program was the same as before—costume and props still evoking ancient style.

Focused solely on her skating, Shu Ran paid no attention to the crowd’s reaction. Not until her performance ended and the thunderous applause rang out did she begin to question it again.

Back at the French Grand Prix, the audience hadn’t known her either, yet they’d cheered and applauded her just the same.

Only then did Shu Ran realize that Qin Liubei’s method for determining whether the fans were truly there for her wasn’t exactly rigorous.

The final program of the day was the group number they’d rehearsed that morning. All the skaters took the ice together. Though the group routine lacked the refined artistry of individual exhibition programs, every skater’s face was alight with joy, and the atmosphere was infectious.

Former rivals now stood hand in hand, bowing deeply to the ticket-holding audience.

Such is the charm of sport—athletics know no borders.

The Four Continents Championship drew to a close.

As Shu Ran stepped off the ice, many skaters greeted her, among them Chen Yuqi.

Chen Yuqi was about to pass by, then doubled back. "I thought before that your ability went beyond what we’d seen. Congratulations—it looks like next season you’ll be my greatest opponent."

"Your words give me so much confidence," Shu Ran replied with a gentle smile, raising the silk fan still in her hand.

Chen Yuqi’s eyes sparkled. "If it’s not too much trouble, could you tell me where to buy that fan? My little sister watched the French Grand Prix broadcast and begged me for one just like it—I’ve got a headache from all her pestering."

Shu Ran looked at the fan for a few seconds, then lifted it and handed it over. "Here, just take it. In our country, it’s easy enough to buy one of these."

"Thank you," Chen Yuqi replied, surprised as she accepted the fan. "Then I won’t be polite."

After saying their goodbyes, they parted ways. Shu Ran couldn’t find Fu Yiqing anywhere. She was about to call him and Qin Liubei when suddenly someone hooked an arm around her neck. Turning her head, she saw Zhu Hongzhe’s handsome face lit with a broad smile.

"Hey, where’s your fan?"

Shu Ran tried to wriggle free but failed, so she let him hold her. "What are you doing? Aren’t you afraid my hair gel will get on your hands?"

Instead of minding, Zhu Hongzhe leaned in and took a deep sniff. "People are always afraid of me, but there’s nothing I’m afraid of. Your hair gel smells nice! What brand is it? Recommend one?"

Shu Ran rolled her eyes at him. "Let go—it’s uncomfortable being squeezed like this."

"Not letting go," Zhu Hongzhe said, his expression suddenly turning hesitant. "Be honest with me: are we good friends or not?"

"No," Shu Ran replied instantly.

Whatever Zhu Hongzhe was about to say, he stopped short and glared at her. Then, with mock ferocity, he brought up his other arm as if to squeeze her neck. "You’re too cheeky! I’ll give you one more chance—are we good friends or not?"

Shu Ran, now being both squeezed and tickled at her waist, couldn’t stop laughing as she pleaded for mercy. "Okay, okay, we’re friends! You can let go now!"

"Look at you—"

"What are you two doing?!"

Shu Ran was still in Zhu Hongzhe’s embrace when she turned toward the voice and saw Fu Yiqing standing not far away, his face stormy and his gaze icy cold.

Zhu Hongzhe, for all his bravado, was not as fearless as he claimed—especially when compared to the composed and experienced Fu Yiqing. Around him, Zhu Hongzhe’s straightforwardness seemed almost childlike.

Both Shu Ran and Zhu Hongzhe were instantly cowed by Fu Yiqing’s imposing presence.

Qin Liubei, just catching up, saw that Fu Yiqing had stopped walking and urged him forward, "Why are you just standing there? Shu Ran must be getting anxious not finding us—"

Before he could finish, he saw the two young people wrapped up together.

The scene suddenly turned awkward.

"Let go," Shu Ran called, snapping Zhu Hongzhe out of his daze.

He released her and laughed awkwardly, "We were just messing around. Shu Ran, I’ll get going."

She nodded.

Realizing that lingering would only make things worse, Zhu Hongzhe quickly left before any more trouble brewed.

As he passed Fu Yiqing, Zhu Hongzhe braced himself for a scolding. After all, team rules forbade relationships, and their earlier antics could easily be misconstrued. It was only natural for Shu Ran’s coach to be upset.

But though Fu Yiqing was clearly angry, he didn’t even spare Zhu Hongzhe a glance as he passed.

Unable to fathom Fu Yiqing’s thoughts, Zhu Hongzhe hurried away.

As Fu Yiqing approached, Shu Ran suddenly thought of the phrase "caught in the act."

She hastened to explain, "Don’t misunderstand—he just wanted to ask me about the fan."

Only then did Fu Yiqing notice her fan was gone. "Where’s the fan?"

"I gave it away."

His gaze grew colder. "To whom?"

"To Chen Yuqi," Shu Ran replied honestly. "Her sister wanted one, and she asked me where to buy it. Since we can just order more online, I gave it to her."

Worried that Fu Yiqing might be angry at her for making decisions on her own, she added, somewhat defensively, "We don’t need the fan anymore, right?"

Fu Yiqing nodded. "Mm."

Shu Ran was about to breathe a sigh of relief when Qin Liubei interjected, "But do you know who painted the image on that fan?"

A sense of foreboding swept over her. "Who?"

Fu Yiqing cut in, "Just a fairly well-known national painter—you can’t find his work on the market. But the season’s over, and we won’t need the fan anymore."

Hearing this, Shu Ran was filled with regret. "Ah, if I’d known, I wouldn’t have given it away."

She wished she could find Chen Yuqi and ask for the fan back.

Fu Yiqing didn’t pursue the topic of Zhu Hongzhe any further. The three of them gathered their things and left.

Fu Yiqing suddenly asked, "Do you like that fan very much?"

It wasn’t the fan itself she liked, but rather the uniqueness of it.

Thinking it over, Shu Ran nodded. "But once you’ve given something away, it’s like water spilled—it’s gone. Think of it as my little contribution to international friendship."

Qin Liubei clicked his tongue in admiration. "A fan painted by the national master Zhang Dunyi—"

He didn’t finish. Fu Yiqing gave him a look that silenced him at once.

Shu Ran realized that the fan’s value was probably impossible to measure in money, and she regretted her generosity even more.

"It’s all right," Fu Yiqing consoled her. "Master Zhang said he really likes your performances. Maybe we can ask him to paint another fan for you."

"Really?"

When Fu Yiqing nodded, Shu Ran finally relaxed. "This time I’ll be sure to treasure it properly."

Fu Yiqing moved to sit in the back seat. Qin Liubei frowned, "So I’m your chauffeur now?"

But Fu Yiqing climbed in the back anyway.

Qin Liubei gave up, started the engine, and said, "By the way, I won the bet this time. Does that mean I can finally take a vacation and end my long-distance relationship?"

Fu Yiqing replied, "I won too."

Qin Liubei, lips curling into a smile, asked curiously, "What do you wish for?"

Fu Yiqing’s eyes gleamed with a hint of mischief. "For you to keep working."

Qin Liubei’s smile disappeared instantly. He grumbled under his breath, then declared coldly, "The winner’s wish must be fulfilled by the loser."

His look to Fu Yiqing was clear: I’ll never let you get your way.

At last, Shu Ran found a chance to speak, "You won?"

She added skeptically, "But what if the audience was just cheering for me? Doesn’t that still count as having fans who came especially for me?"

Qin Liubei didn’t argue. He simply handed her his phone. "See for yourself."