On the way to Beijing, his uncle kept a dark expression, while Song Cheng tossed a pack of Sunshine Seaweed into his lap.

“What’s with your face? Zhang Jue is an athlete within the system, receiving free training and stipends. When he’s injured, Commander Sun rushes to the hospital to reimburse his medical expenses. When he’s needed to compete at critical moments, it’s not a big deal for him to go. Besides, it hasn’t been decided whether it will be him or Xiaolong competing.”

As the saying goes: “train soldiers for a thousand days just to use them for a moment.” Zhang Jue didn’t spend a penny on skating—training, venues, medical fees, choreography, and costumes were all covered. In his short career of under three years, he had the best resources for ice and snow sports in the country. In just two years in the junior group and half a year in the senior group, he earned enough to buy a house in a prime location in the capital, paying 50% of the down payment in one go. His stipend covered his rent and still allowed him to change clothes twice as he grew.

So now, can you say he won’t compete just because he doesn’t want to?

Zhang Junbao knew that what Song Cheng said was true. He had also been a member of the national team and had competed while dealing with injuries. He had no complaints and was eager to seize the opportunity.

But when it came to Zhang Jue, Zhang Junbao felt uneasy.

He turned away: “Zhang Jue is already experiencing meniscus wear. I’m even considering letting him rest for a while. He relies on that knee-bending trick for landing, which only increases knee damage with use. This condition isn’t suitable for competition.”

Suffering himself and letting his child suffer were entirely different for Zhang Junbao.

Didn’t Jin Zixuan perform well in the Four Continents Championships? Wasn’t it agreed that Zhang Jue should rest and recover from his growth phase? He had even prepared to change Zhang Jue’s technique, and now this happened.

For figure skating, once certain techniques become habits, they are particularly hard to change. For instance, in Russia over the past two years, there was a 15-year-old female skater who used a flat edge for both her 3Lz and 3F, making them indistinguishable.

However, due to the short career span of female singles skaters and the approaching Winter Olympics, her coach didn’t bother changing her edge, allowing her to use one edge for both jumps. In domestic competitions, she performed three 3Lz jumps, mixing them for points.

Given that the 3A, valued at 8.5 points, is the highest difficulty and score for solo jumps in women’s singles, and since the only skater able to perform a 3A, Baiye Zhuangzi, had disappeared, everyone else focused on mastering the 3Lz. The more advanced skaters worked on integrating a 3Lo into combination jumps.

Changing technique is a high-risk endeavor. If not done well, it can lead to worse performance. Those attempting it must be prepared to have a disappointing season. Changing technique before the Olympics is akin to walking a tightrope.

Zhang Junbao had deliberated for a long time before deciding to take advantage of Zhang Jue’s growth-induced technical collapse to correct his techniques. He aimed to fix issues such as unclear edges during skating, off-center spins, and crooked jump axes that required knee bending for stable landings before the next season started.

Then, the leaders called, and the technical changes were put on hold. Zhang Jue was to go to Beijing and compete with Dong Xiaolong, Fan Zhaoying, and other male singles skaters.

Jin Zixuan had dislocated his left arm and torn ligaments during quadruple jump training.

Shen Liu looked on with helplessness and confusion: “I don’t know what’s going on this year. It seems all the male singles skaters who attempted quadruple jumps on the international stage are plagued with injuries.”

Maquen and Vasily were old friends with knee injuries. Sergey sprained his ankle before the Russian Championships. Martin’s back injury was so severe he couldn’t even compete in domestic competitions, allowing his junior, Alex, to win the French Championships for the first time.

Among the younger generation, Ilia had to give up his chance to compete in the Grand Prix Final due to injury. Hayato Teraoka recovered just before the All Japan Championships. Zhang Jue had spent nearly two months of this season in a wheelchair.

David Bisoli was the unluckiest. He didn’t get injured from figure skating but was involved in rescuing children trapped in a flooded cave in Thailand. He nearly died from oxygen deprivation during the rescue, having to surface quickly, risking lung collapse. If not for carrying an extra oxygen tank and his teammate’s timely aid, he might not have survived.

Although he saved his life, he was still hospitalized and would likely miss the World Championships.

Summarizing this, Zhang Jue wasn’t the worst off. His ligament injury had healed, and with proper care, bursitis might not recur. Fasciitis, meniscus wear, and external injuries were common for athletes and could be treated with physical therapy.

Besides, Zhang Jue had participated in all other necessary competitions except for the Four Continents Championships, achieving good results.

“What a mess,” Zhang Junbao groaned, covering his face.

He looked at Zhang Jue, who was sleeping soundly under a blanket.

“Tsk, this kid can really sleep. He’s unknowingly grown taller than me, and his baby fat is gone. He looks more like an adult now.”

Feeling a bit emotional, his uncle tucked the blanket around Zhang Jue. Zhang Jue woke up and smiled softly at him.

He turned to look out the window and murmured: “The weather is so nice today. In the city, the stars wouldn’t be this bright.”

Under the intersecting star trails were layers of clouds, with starlight reflected in the boy’s dark eyes. Even across millennia, the brilliance of the stars remained magnificent.

“Uncle, I still think changing my technique is pointless. I’m still growing, and my weight is becoming harder to manage. Even if you spend a lot of time perfecting my technique, I might not be able to jump when the time comes.”

The atmosphere grew quiet. After a while, Zhang Junbao patted his head with a loving voice.

“How will you know if you don’t try? If you can’t jump even after changing your technique, we can consider other options then.”

Zhang Jue looked up and saw encouragement in his uncle’s eyes.

“It’s not time to give up yet.”

Uncle probably thought he was disheartened by the two months in a wheelchair, but seeing those eyes, Zhang Jue couldn’t say anything else.

He forced a smile: “Okay.”

Zhang Jue’s growth hadn’t stopped. In his memory, after surpassing the 175 cm mark, he entered a period of weight gain. No matter how much he dieted, his weight would exceed 65 kg. It wasn’t something he could control, his body was just growing. A nearly 180 cm man couldn’t maintain a weight of 45 to 50 kg.

At that point, he might not even be able to maintain his 4T.

They traveled to Beijing overnight, heading to the Shougang Sports Center the next afternoon.

Sun Qian, wearing a thick down jacket, sat by the rink, looking haggard: “We didn’t plan to call you, but the situation is special. The World Championships affect the Olympic quotas. If the men’s singles don’t want to fight for one spot at next year’s National Championships, someone must achieve good results at this year’s World Championships.”

The Olympic Games, held every four years, are the most watched competitive events in the world. An Olympic gold medal is the highest honor in figure skating, and for singles skaters in China, even an Olympic bronze medal could sustain them for a lifetime.

For instance, former ladies’ singles skater Chen Zhu, who is a World Champion and Olympic bronze medalist, is now one of the highest-paid coaches in the country.

Fan Zhaoying glanced at Zhang Jue with a complex expression. If it weren’t for Zhang Jue’s development and injuries, no one would be worried about the lack of competitors for the World Championships. However, if Zhang Jue’s condition wasn’t good enough to compete, athletes like Shi Mosheng, and Dong Xiaolong would still give their all if given the chance at the World Championships.

In figure skating, especially singles, athletes thrive in their youth. If they miss this chance, they don’t know if there will be another.

Sun Qian watched the boys warming up at the rink’s edge and said sternly: “Each of you will skate a free skate. We will decide who goes to the World Championships based on your performance. But no matter who goes, I have only one request.”

“Defend at least two spots for Chinese men’s singles!”

The atmosphere became tense.

Zhang Jue stood up with a cheeky smile.

“Coach Sun, how do we determine the order? Do we draw lots, or do I just go first?”

Sun Qian replied with exasperation: “Let’s draw lots first!”

Zhang Jue went first.

On the morning of March 1st, Jin Zixuan sat on his hospital bed, gazing out the window.

“Beijing’s winter is always foggy.”

“Many cities’ skies are foggy. It will take years to see results from smog control.”

He turned around in surprise to see a boy in a short white down jacket leaning against the doorframe, holding a fruit basket with fingerless gloves on both hands.

Zhang Jue knocked lightly on the door: “How’s your leg?”

Jin Zixuan smiled wryly: “I won’t be able to move for at least a month. Have a seat.”

Zhang Jue brought over a chair and stretched out his long legs, resting his hands on the back of the chair.

“You’ve got guts. I thought I could take a break from competitions and focus on studying for my University. But after you got injured, Coach Sun called me back to Beijing.”

Jin Zixuan immediately lowered his head in shame: “I’m sorry.”

As if he had truly wronged Zhang Jue, Zhang Jue gave him a deadpan look: “Why are you apologizing to me? Your injury means you can’t compete, which is your own loss. Why didn’t you take better care of your body before the World Championships and instead train so hard that you got injured?”

“As long as I can get into the top ten, our men’s singles team will have two spots for the Winter Olympics. Then next year, maybe we could go to the Winter Olympics together.”

Zhang Jue tilted his head and saw Jin Zixuan peeling an orange, speaking softer and softer.

“If there’s only one spot, it will definitely be yours. But I don’t want to wait four years. I don’t know if I have another four years, and neither does anyone else.”

“Including you, Zhang Jue. You may not have another four years either. The competition is unpredictable. Who knows when we might get injured? So, when someone is in a position to fight for an opportunity, they must give it their all to pave the way for others to reach higher.”

An athlete’s peak is limited. If they miss this Sochi Olympics, who knows if they will be in the same condition four years later.

Having an additional spot means more opportunities for others.

Zhang Jue didn’t expect Jin Zixuan to have such a sense of responsibility. Jin Zixuan handed him the peeled orange.

“Have some.”

Zhang Jue instinctively replied: “Dad doesn’t eat oranges given by others.”

Jin Zixuan: “Huh?”

Before going to the Shougang Arena, Zhang Jue visited Jin Zixuan at Beijing Third Hospital. He thought he would have to comfort this sensitive guy again, but instead, Jin Zixuan ended up teaching him a lesson.

No matter what others think or whether they believe as long as they skate well, it doesn’t matter how others perform or whether they have a chance to participate in the Olympics. The fact is, if you hold the top spot, you must bear the responsibility that comes with it.

Their results will determine whether the country can win another medal in the lesser-known figure skating event, whether more athletes can represent the country at the Olympics, and whether there can be two more people in the Chinese delegation to the Winter Olympics.

When the large Olympic delegation follows the opening ceremony guide into the stadium, it represents the efforts of countless athletes.

Under his desk, Zhang Jue had a digital scale. Every morning, he recorded his weight and reported it to his coach.

Recently, as the numbers on the scale soared, he realized the top-level competition was becoming more distant. The silver medal he won at the Grand Prix Final might be his last highlight in figure skating.

He might not have another season. The Olympic stage was likely out of reach. Not because of his height but because of his excessive weight gain, forcing him to leave figure skating.

So, Zhang Jue was also contemplating whether to shift more focus to studying and aim for a top university.

He was passionate about figure skating, but his previous experience taught him the hardships of life without a degree. When he could no longer be a top figure skater, getting into a good university and earning a good degree seemed like a more secure path. Zhang Jue had to consider reality because he needed to live.

No matter how reluctant he was, life had to go on.

However, this season’s World Championships still held meaning for Zhang Jue.

He hadn’t completely stepped down from the top spot. He could still use this World Championships to secure two spots for Sochi for others.

So he decided to fulfill the responsibility of being the top skater one last time.

Zhang Jue made up his mind to discuss retirement with his uncle after this season.

After the competition, Zhang Junbao, Song Cheng, and Sun Qian went to a meeting, and Zhang Jue found a window to lean against, making a phone call.

“Hello, I’m the one going to Canada.”

The World Championships were set to open on March 10. Before then, Zhang Jue planned to undergo intense training for quadruple jumps and burn himself out one last time at the World Championships.

A few days later, on March 8, at the airport, Yin Meijing, with her backpack, sat on her luggage, fanning herself with her collar.

The airport heating was too high, and she had worn too many clothes.

Yin Meijing was about to take off a sweater when a magnetic male voice reminded her.

“Ontario faces the Great Lakes. It will be very cold outside. It’s better not to take off your clothes.”

She turned around, stunned, and looked at a boy in a white short down jacket.

Next to her, Ms. Ayala turned around, also surprised, and asked in a doubtful tone: “Excuse me, are you…?”

Kazakhstan’s ladies’ singles skater Amina shyly asked: “Do you have something to say?”

Zhang Jue: “…It’s me, Zhang Jue!”

Seeing their still puzzled expressions, Zhang Jue had to put his hands on his hips and stick out his belly with a sad face.

“Don’t you recognize me?”

Yin Meijing, Ayala, and Amina gasped.

“You’re Little Crocodile!”

 

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