The men’s singles, which had been struggling for years, rose up. Not only did they rise, but they also started by breaking world records repeatedly. Naturally, Zhang Jue’s leaders were thrilled.

Previously, their highest expectation for Zhang Jue was to make it to the Grand Prix Finals every year, consistently finish in the top six at the World Championships, and be a regular on the podium.

A genius athlete like him, who had broken world records ten times, would have a huge impact in any sport, let alone figure skating, which, though not as popular as ball sports or athletics, was still a top draw in winter sports.

As soon as they got excited, Zhang Jue had work to do.

Because the Japan competition was half a month away, Zhang Jue wasn’t scheduled to leave for Osaka for at least another 10 days. Before that, he gave two interviews, including one exclusive interview that lasted two hours, and had a lot of training footage shot.

It was said that the exclusive interview would eventually be edited into a 15-minute short film to be aired on TV.

Of course, it would be on CCTV. H Province Television had already filmed before the season started and had a team following Zhang Jue’s backstage warm-up at every competition. It’s expected that a new documentary would be released at the end of the season.

During the exclusive interview, someone asked Zhang Jue: “Your free skate score is now almost higher than most people’s total score. Do you feel like you’ve already reached your peak?”

When he broke the record, Zhang Jue hadn’t even fully cleaned up his original routine, and he had secretly lowered the difficulty level.

“No, I haven’t reached my peak. I think I can go even further.”

After the competition in China, Mrs. Saranana had complained on Twitter. It was the first time she had seen such an outstanding performance from an athlete, so she held back a little when scoring, giving only between 2 and 2.5 points. Other judges were also conservative in their scoring, afraid that Zhang Jue might accidentally push his score too high, making it impossible to break in the future. A record so high it might last for decades, dragging down others. The Little Crocodile didn’t even get the score he deserved.

But Zhang Jue hadn’t used his hardest routine, so he believed he could keep pushing his score higher. Half of the six quadruple jumps were still yet to be tackled, and even if the dowry for the rest was steep, he couldn’t just leave them out.

Especially the 4A, which Zhang Jue hadn’t conquered even before his rebirth. That was truly an alluring challenge.

At the start of the Pyeongchang cycle, most skaters could only manage one type of quadruple jump. The top athletes had two types. But by the Beijing-Zhangjiakou cycle, if you didn’t have three or four types of quads, you couldn’t compete for the podium in top-tier events… even the women’s singles had started their quad jump battle.

Competitive sports never lack talented young newcomers. To maintain long-term competitiveness, one must constantly challenge oneself, break through personal limits, and always stay at the forefront.

During the interview, Shu Feng asked Zhang Jue: “Do you think three types of quads are enough for you? Will you continue to tackle other types of quads in the future?”

Zhang Jue confidently replied: “I won’t stop at my current results. I can feel that my body hasn’t reached its limit. I still have room to go higher, so I’ll keep trying new quads. As long as my body can handle it, I’ll keep pushing the limits.”

He smiled confidently at the camera.

“Athletes must keep pushing their boundaries. I’m already the holder of three world records, and my limit is the limit of men’s figure skating. I believe the ceiling for this sport can be even higher, so I’ll keep trying.”

These words might sound arrogant, but they were nothing but the simple truth.

Zhang Jue received many endorsement offers, but he didn’t just leave everything to Director Bai and Bai Xiaozhen. He carefully reviewed all the businesses.

He filtered out brands with poor quality or reputations and those whose future bosses might behave inappropriately.

In the end, Zhang Jue took on only three new endorsements: one as the regional ambassador for a famous international sports brand and another for a phone company.

Both brands paid him no less than tens of millions in endorsement fees, with additional payments for shooting ads. In the world of figure skating in China such a high endorsement fee was a first, surprising even the leaders of Sun Qian’s bosses.

In figure skating, Zhang Jue was the first athlete to secure such high-quality commercial resources.

Yes, figure skating in China had previously struggled that much.

The staff involved in negotiating the partnership candidly admitted that they were not only impressed by Zhang Jue’s strength and potential as an athlete but also by his physique and looks.

Without exaggeration, Zhang Jue’s appearance outshone 90% of models and celebrities, and even among athletes, his body was top-tier.

And although no one was hyping his public image, from their observations since the Sochi Olympics, the brand was confident that Zhang Jue was a well-educated and disciplined young man. Signing with him meant there was little risk of future scandals hurting sales.

Most importantly, Zhang Jue’s ability to boost product sales was quite good. The brands that signed with him previously were very willing to renew their contracts when they expired and even voluntarily raised his endorsement fees.

In short, Zhang Jue’s asking price was lower than entertainment stars, his ability to drive sales was strong, and he had the halo of a “985 scholar” and a national team athlete. He was in his prime, truly embodying the phrase “high quality at a reasonable price.” Was there any better spokesperson?

After signing the contract, both sides felt they had profited. They were just waiting for Zhang Jue to finish the Grand Prix Final to take him for the ad and poster shoots.

Many people expressed regret but also understanding that Zhang Jue didn’t take on more endorsements.

Taking on more endorsements would mean spending more time on commercial activities, and since Zhang Jue was still in the middle of the season, training and competing remained his main focus.

This young man had a clear understanding of himself. He knew that as an athlete, his capital was his skill, so while earning money was important, maintaining his core was even more critical.

Regardless, Zhang Jue’s endorsement fees, advertising income, and merchandise revenue had already placed him among the top 100 athletes globally.

Yes, that’s how it was in ice and snow sports. Being in the top 100 of Forbes’ athlete income list was considered quite an achievement. In previous years, the athletes making it onto that list were usually the top women’s singles skaters since women’s singles had higher popularity. Zhang Jue surpassing them and becoming the highest-earning winter sports athlete surprised many.

Zhang Jue’s teammates were envious of his income, but it was only envy over his commercial resources, without any jealousy.

Why be jealous? He earned his strength through hard work, and that strength attracted sponsors. This was all something he had fought for.

Zhang Jue’s rise in popularity was beneficial to the entire figure skating industry. The commercial market for figure skating had long lost its heat compared to the end of the 20th and early 21st centuries. In North America, the popularity of ice shows was declining year by year, with some less popular shows having attendance rates of less than 30%. Only Russian and Japanese markets were still doing well, while the market in China remained cold.

But ever since Zhang Jue’s rise, the domestic figure skating commercial market had noticeably improved this year. Originally, in figure skating’s commercial market, top athletes could only draw crowds of a thousand or so, and an attendance rate of 60% was considered decent. Two to three thousand people would be a large event. But with Zhang Jue’s participation, organizers dared to open venues for five thousand people, with attendance rates of over 90%, and even foreign commercial brands were eager to invite him.

There was a saying in the national team: “If this year you get a new pair of ice skates beyond your usual budget, remember to thank Captain Zhang.”

Yes, Zhang Jue was the captain.

Moreover, Zhang Jue had barely participated in ice shows during the last off-season because he was preparing for the college entrance exams, leaving ice skating fans eagerly waiting. Even Bai Xiaozhen mentioned that after Zhang Jue finished this season, they were going to try holding a show for him in a large venue with tens of thousands of spectators.

If Zhang Jue could fill such a large venue, his position as the most popular figure in figure skating would be untouchable.

However…

Jin Zixuan looked worriedly at Zhang Jue’s back.

After the China competition, he experienced abdominal muscle discomfort for a week. The team doctor, Yang Zhiyuan, was highly skilled and had even been sent for advanced training during the off-season. It was said that during his training, he had performed actual human dissections. However, when it came to injuries caused by Zhang Jue’s overexertion, there wasn’t much he could do; after treatment, all that was left was rest.

But Zhang Jue had no time to rest. Unless he withdrew from the Grand Prix and skipped the Japan event, he would not accumulate enough points to make it to the final if he participated in fewer than two competitions.

Withdrawing from a competition over a minor injury would be too extreme. Some painkillers should do the trick, right?

Jin Zixuan overheard Coach Sun and Doctor Yang talking: “Training with an injury will affect his performance. Two days ago, Zhang Jue strained his back again. He’s leaving for Osaka tomorrow. Is he really going to be okay?”

Yang Zhiyuan replied quietly: “This injury won’t stop him from reaching the final, but whether he can still win gold depends on his condition.”

The 4Lo jump was off-limits for now. Otherwise, the injury to his lower back and abdomen would never heal.

Whether it was psychological or physical, Zhang Jue under-rotated the 4Lo to a 3Lo at the Japan event, followed by reducing the 3A to a 2A and even falling once, ultimately earning him a silver medal.

The Canadian skater, Carson, who had cleanly completed his free skate, fearfully accepted the gold medal at the Japan event, worried that Zhang Jue might give him a cold look. Since Carson was of Chinese descent, he had faced hostile stares in domestic competitions after repeatedly defeating other non-Chinese skaters.

But Zhang Jue acted like nothing was wrong, even putting his arm around Carson’s shoulder while they were being photographed.

“Your skating and jump distances were really outstanding. Have you been practicing dancing lately? I feel like your upper body has become a lot more fluid.”

Because Zhang Jue was tall, standing next to Carson, who was only 1.72 meters, he put his arm casually around him, looking like some kind of gang leader or village bully. Carson appeared small and vulnerable in comparison, his heart pounding the whole time.

The young skater thought, Wow, Zhang Jue is really manly.

Even though Carson had momentarily outperformed Zhang Jue, it felt as though Zhang Jue could win again at any moment. His supreme confidence made it clear he wasn’t bothered by temporary setbacks. This elite-level self-assurance and grace were incredibly admirable.

No wonder one of Carson’s teammates often remarked that Zhang Jue was the most handsome athlete in the four major figure skating disciplines.

Just as Carson suspected, Zhang Jue saw this loss as a temporary setback. As long as he made it to the Grand Prix Final, he didn’t consider it a failure, so he didn’t take it too seriously. However, after stepping off the ice, he did glance nervously at his coaches’ stern faces for a moment.

“Well, this event doesn’t matter much. I’ll win it back at the final.”

Zhang Junbao patted him on the back: “Just focus on recovering, you brat.”

Zhang Jue then complained to the team doctor: “The painkillers you gave me aren’t strong enough.”

Yang Zhiyuan sighed: “…Be glad they’re working for you at all. Once we get back, focus on healing, and try to be in top shape for the final.”

This brat was a beast when he was injury-free, but with an injury, unless he pushed himself, he could only skate at the level of an average elite skater. Still, a single event like this wasn’t that crucial, Zhang Jue could skate casually and still make the final. He had no reason to push himself too hard.

Yang Zhiyuan sighed inwardly, realizing that his responsibility was growing heavier.

An athlete’s biggest enemy is injury. Zhang Jue was still young and healed quickly, and these were only minor injuries. But once he was over 20, the team doctor would undoubtedly bear the heaviest burden on the team.

At that moment, Zhang Junbao shouted: “Zhang Jue, your new endorsement poster has arrived. Come take a look! Hey, you and your ‘daughter’ look great on camera.”

Zhang Jue quickly bounded over to check his uncle’s phone, his face lighting up with delight.

“Ah, my daughter is so cute.”

Yes, Zhang Jue’s third ad endorsement was for a brand of pet food, including cat, dog, and mini hamster cans. The hamster food poster showed Zhang Jue holding Saori with a bright, handsome smile.

P.S.: The company promised to provide Saori food supply for the next year, and those who found out about this pet brand endorsement were all a bit embarrassed.

Unfortunately, by the time the pet food arrived at Zhang Jue’s home, he was already headed to Osaka for an exhibition skate.

Zhang Jue quickly called Qin Xuejun.

“Peijia, the sponsor sent me some hamster food as a gift. I’ll send you the delivery info, could you pick it up for me? Oh, by the way, did you find the account number for that children’s cancer charity you mentioned last time? The one with good financial transparency? Send it to me, please…”

He went on and on, eventually finding a seat and continuing the conversation.

Shen Liu, watching from behind, whispered to Zhang Junbao: “Is he donating money?”

Zhang Junbao nodded: “Yeah, he said a big part of his success in product sales comes from fan support, but he doesn’t want to treat his fans like cash machines. So, he’s planning to donate a portion of his income to children’s charities as a way to give back and set a good example for his younger fans.”

The Zhang family, from Zhang Jue’s uncle to his mother, all supported this idea. They felt that even though Zhang Jue was now earning a lot and gaining popularity, his humility and sense of responsibility were a good sign.

Shen Liu asked: “How much is he planning to donate?”

Zhang Junbao held up his hand, showing a figure that made Shen Liu gasp.

The Japan event was the last of the six Grand Prix qualifiers this year, and after the competition in Osaka, the list of skaters who qualified for the final was officially announced.

Ilya and Hayato Teraoka qualified for the final with two gold medals each, while Zhang Jue, Arthur Cohen, Sergei, and David also made the cut. In pairs skating, Huang Ying and Guan Lin also secured their spots with two gold medals.

Since the Grand Prix Final included both junior and senior divisions, Zhang Jue was excited to discover that he’d be heading to Barcelona with Cha Hanbuhua, Min Shan, and his childhood friend Er Pang, along with Er Pang’s partner.

In City C, Jiang Xiuling, holding her fresh plane ticket to Barcelona, suddenly shivered.

 

Support translation: