Chapter Seventy-Four: Drawing Lots for Appearances

The last memory of New Year's Eve lingered on the countless calls wishing Shu Ran a happy birthday. Afraid Fu Yiqing might be bored, Shu Ran pulled him into a video call with her family. Her parents, of course, were already familiar with Fu Yiqing, but her grandparents on both sides, who had never met him in person, had seen him on television and thus felt no strangeness toward him.

Fu Yiqing began with little enthusiasm but gradually warmed, offering gentle smiles now and then. Though only Shu Ran and Fu Yiqing occupied the villa, the New Year's Eve felt unusually lively to Shu Ran.

The rare moments of rest slipped quickly by. For most, the next day marked the beginning of the Spring Festival, the first day of the lunar year; for Shu Ran, it was the start of training.

She was deeply uncertain about the upcoming World Championships. Previously, she was confident about breaking into the top twelve. Now, even securing one Olympic spot for her country, let alone two, seemed precarious. With unease gnawing at her, she could only fill the void with training.

Dr. He advised that Shu Ran could add three more hours of daily practice, provided she remained attentive to rest.

Berus, upon learning of Shu Ran's condition, called her that very day.

"Shu, why didn't you tell me?"

Shu Ran looked at Fu Yiqing in surprise. Few knew about her injury—apart from Fu Yiqing, Berus couldn’t possibly have heard it from anyone else.

As expected, Fu Yiqing spoke softly, "The free skate still needs adjustments; I contacted him last night."

Shu Ran gazed apologetically at the man on the other end of the video. "I'm sorry, Berus. I just didn't want too many people worrying about me."

A hint of pain flickered in Berus's eyes. "It's all right. Barrow has his reasons. Not letting too many know is the right choice. So, how far have you progressed?"

She replied awkwardly, "Not very well."

"Barrow, hold up the phone. Let me see her current level."

Shu Ran and Fu Yiqing exchanged a glance, then understood. Fu Yiqing played music, and Shu Ran performed her free skate for Berus to watch.

Berus, unsurprisingly, looked dissatisfied. "Yes, there's quite a setback."

Shu Ran knew her own limitations too well; her heart sank.

Yet Berus continued, "Luckily, I listened to Barrow's account last night. I immediately revised several movements in 'Air on the G String.' The video is recorded, but the music still needs tweaking. Barrow, have Sherry—Qin Liubei—make some changes."

Shu Ran's eyes brimmed with surprise and gratitude. "Berus, I don't know how to thank you. At this moment, all I can say is thank you."

Berus smiled radiantly. "Even if I weren't your choreographer, just a retired athlete, I would help you. No athlete wishes to see another endure such empathy-inducing pain."

For they understood all too well that crushing feeling—when injury leaves one powerless, facing the looming threat of retirement.

Fu Yiqing wrapped his arm around Shu Ran's shoulders, his voice solemn. "Berus, thank you."

Berus looked up in surprise. "Why are you saying that as well?" Then, as if understanding something, he shook his head. "Barrow, I know you're planning something, but I'm glad you consider me a friend. Helping friends is my honor."

After hanging up, Berus sent the recorded video to Fu Yiqing's email.

The revised movements in "Air on the G String" were crucial; Shu Ran felt they could save her much energy.

She was about to return to the ice when she turned suddenly. "What did Berus mean by your plan just now?"

Fu Yiqing replied, "He doesn't know about the wager."

Shu Ran stared at him in surprise.

"It's exactly as you think. Aside from us and Quentin's people, no one else knows. So the responsibility you bear is much heavier than you realize."

Shu Ran scratched her nose with her index finger and smiled. "Why tell me now?"

Fu Yiqing shrugged. "As you can see, the setbacks you've suffered have helped you grow."

Shu Ran was caught between laughter and tears.

She watched the video three times before heading onto the ice.

After skating, she kept reviewing the video, practicing her arm movements, trying to imprint them on her body.

The original version of "Air on the G String" was quite difficult; expressing the gentle quality of the classical piece only made the challenging movements harder to execute artistically.

The revised version lowered the difficulty, but as long as Shu Ran avoided major errors, her free skate score should easily break into the top twelve.

Previously, it was the difficulty that enhanced artistic beauty; now, artistry cleverly dissolves the technical challenge, shifting the decisive factor back to artistic expression.

Time flew, and only ten days remained before the World Championships.

With two days reserved for open training, Shu Ran had just one week of formal practice.

Her Weibo inbox was filled with messages from skating fans cheering her on; though not many, they gave her strength.

During lunch break, Qin Liubei tore down Shu Ran’s training schedule from the blackboard, replacing it with numbered photos.

Just after finishing her meal, Shu Ran, digesting, tossed the question to Xu Jingyu. "What is your boyfriend doing?"

Xu Jingyu had originally planned to register her marriage with Qin Liubei during the holiday, but Zhu Xinhui insisted they return to accompany Shu Ran in training, so the registration was postponed until the off-season. Thus, Shu Ran referred to Qin Liubei as simply her boyfriend.

Xu Jingyu replied, "No idea. He's been acting mysterious in the study for days—I don't know what he's up to."

"It's analysis," Fu Yiqing said, approaching. "This is the last analysis before the World Championships."

Now Shu Ran realized Qin Liubei had printed photos of some competitors.

She was glad he used photos instead of names; with so many skaters, she usually recognized them by their flags and Roman letters. If it were in transliterated Chinese, she might only identify a few.

While Shu Ran was feeling relieved, Qin Liubei had finished preparations.

Twelve skaters’ photos were posted on the blackboard.

In addition to the nine competitors analyzed last time, three new faces were added.

"Among all the newcomers, I believe three have the potential to become dark horses. First, her." Qin Liubei pointed to a fair-skinned, golden-haired girl. "Nadylova, Russian, just sixteen."

Shu Ran vaguely remembered the name, then heard Fu Yiqing say, "Is she the one who landed a quadruple jump?"

Qin Liubei snapped his fingers. "Exactly her."

Instinctively, Shu Ran realized she couldn’t underestimate the young skater.

"And this one," Qin Liubei pointed to an Asian-looking girl. "Jo Zhen Reina, Japanese, also sixteen, newly promoted to the senior group. And Zhang Ziqing, Canadian, seventeen. All three share a trait—their results are unstable, fluctuating wildly."

"So my prediction is, pick one of the three to enter the top ten. Two dark horses in one event is rare; it’s never happened before."

Fu Yiqing nodded. "So, if Shu Ran performs normally, breaking into the top twelve is assured."

Qin Liubei agreed. "No need to worry, Shu Ran. Just keep your mindset steady."

Hearing their analysis, Shu Ran felt much relieved.

The day before the competition, to avoid reporters, Fu Yiqing specially invited Dr. He to the villa to check Shu Ran's foot.

After examining her, he said, surprised and pleased, "Better than I expected. Fortunately, there’s no issue. Looks like you’ll have nothing to worry about for the competition in four days."

All of Shu Ran’s worries melted away.

Shu Ran’s open training was scheduled for the first day; she practiced as usual, without much change.

The day of the competition finally arrived.

The men's short program had finished hours earlier. Perhaps Shu Ran's New Year's Eve words helped Zhu Hongzhe unlock his mental block; he performed exceptionally today.

With Yuan Cangyu absent due to injury, Zhu Hongzhe claimed first place in the short program—the best result of his career.

Chen Lecheng took eighth.

The Chinese team excelled today, stirring the crowd of local skating fans into fervor.

Though Shu Ran’s last Grand Prix Final was disappointing, her earlier Russian Grand Prix performance had left a strong impression on Russian fans. Today, among the audience, some Russian spectators waved Chinese flags and cheered for Shu Ran.

But most Russians still waved their own colors—after all, last Winter Olympics champion Samantha was Russian, and she had yet to retire.

Wu Huihui and Jiang Wanru saw Shu Ran daydreaming and walked over to greet her.

Since the Grand Prix Final, the three hadn’t seen each other for some time.

There was little chance for reunion; soon, they had to compose themselves for the contest.

Wu Huihui pumped her fist at Shu Ran. "Senior! I believe in you!"

Shu Ran smiled gently. "You too."

Jiang Wanru’s abilities had waned year by year, but Wu Huihui was different—still young. If she secured twentieth place and Shu Ran twelfth, the team would gain two spots.

This time, thirty-five competitors had entered.

The short program was grouped by ranking; Shu Ran was in the penultimate group, Wu Huihui and Jiang Wanru in the second and third groups respectively.

All skaters went in to draw lots for their appearance order.

Shu Ran, Wu Huihui, and the others sat together waiting.

Wu Huihui, unable to get enough of Shu Ran, leaned in, tilting her head for a side glance.

Shu Ran blinked, asking with her eyes, "What’s wrong?"

Jiang Wanru couldn’t help asking what Wu Huihui was staring at.

Wu Huihui frowned. "How did you get even thinner over the holiday? Jealousy is making my hair fall out!"

Jiang Wanru and Shu Ran exchanged smiles.

"Shu Ran!" Someone called out behind her in accented Chinese.

She turned and found it was Jennifer.

Shu Ran was glad she remembered her promise and hurried to say, "The gift I promised you last time—I brought it today. After the draw, I’ll have someone deliver it to you."

Jennifer’s eyes lit up, clearly having forgotten all about it. "You’re too kind! But I didn’t bring a gift—what should I do?"

Shu Ran smiled brightly. "No worries. It was my promise to you."

They continued chatting, and soon Effitinia arrived. Though most were not well acquainted, Shu Ran served as their bridge, and after a few casual exchanges, their conversation flowed easily.

A woman's voice called out, "Time for the draw."

The chatting ceased. Shu Ran looked toward the source and met Chen Yuqi’s friendly gaze, replying with a smile.

Then she glanced behind Chen Yuqi and realized it was Samantha who had announced the draw.