The big devil in table tennis

After two consecutive days of losing, Jianhua realized that he could no longer play mixed doubles with Xu Xin and Shao Jie.

Such a combination not only fails to bring out their respective strengths, but also makes the game miserable.

Xu Xin and Shao Jie clearly had shortcomings in their cooperation in the mixed doubles event, and they seemed unable to do their best in terms of both tacit understanding and tactical execution.

Although Jianhua tried his best to make up for it, the results were still unsatisfactory after two days of sparring.

After some thought, Jianhua decided to adjust his training plan. Since mixed doubles could not make a breakthrough for the time being, it would be better to shift the focus to singles training.

After all, singles is the foundation of table tennis. Only when one's personal skills are solid can one perform better in doubles or mixed doubles.

On the way back, Jianhua was full of doubts and emotions.

He recalled the training with Xu Xin and Shao Jie in the past few days, and the more he thought about it, the more incredible it seemed.

Their coordination seemed unfamiliar and their tactical execution was full of loopholes a few days ago. How come they made such rapid progress in just a few days?

Now Xu Xin and Shao Jie are not only more skilled in technology, but their tacit understanding has also reached a seamless level.

Whether attacking or defending, the cooperation between the two seemed smooth, as if they were in perfect sync.

"Isn't this too exaggerated?" Jianhua couldn't help but mutter to himself, "In just a few days, how come Xu Xin and Shaojie's cooperation has improved to this level? If they continue like this, I'm afraid no one will be their opponent."

Lin Hui, who was standing by, heard Jianhua's words, smiled slightly, and said slowly: "Isn't this just right?"

"Isn't it a good thing for us that they are improving so quickly? This shows that our training methods are effective and their potential far exceeds our expectations. If they can really be invincible in the competition, won't our goal be easier to achieve?"

After listening to Lin Hui's words, Jianhua nodded thoughtfully.

Indeed, the progress of Xu Xin and Shao Jie is not only a recognition of them personally, but also an encouragement to the entire team.

Although their progress was somewhat unexpected, it also means that the overall strength of the team is constantly improving.

Thinking of this, Jianhua felt much more relaxed.

"You're right," Jianhua smiled, "It seems we have to work harder and not let them leave us too far behind."

Lin Hui patted Jianhua on the shoulder and said with a smile: "That's right, competition can make us stronger. Let's go back and have a good rest, and continue training tomorrow!"

The two smiled at each other and walked towards the dormitory with brisk steps.

As the night deepened, the street lights cast a soft glow, shining on Xu Xin and Shao Jie.

The two walked side by side on the way back to the dormitory, their steps were brisk but their moods were different.

Shaojie's face was filled with an excited smile, and he couldn't help but say: "Xu Xin, the cooperation today was really great! I didn't expect that the tacit understanding between the two of us could improve so quickly. You know? There were several times when I felt that the ball was going to be lost, but you always made up for it in time. It was like telepathy!"

Xu Xin listened to Shaojie's words and smiled slightly, but his expression seemed calm and steady. He nodded and said calmly: "Today's performance is indeed good, but it is not enough."

"Not enough?" Shaojie raised his eyebrows in surprise, "I think we have played very well. Even Jianhua lost his temper after being beaten by us."

Xu Xin stopped and turned to look at Shaojie, his eyes revealing a hint of determination: "Our goal is not to beat Jianhua, nor to beat a certain person. Our goal is to kill everyone on the court and become the undisputed champion. Therefore, today's progress is far from enough."

Shaojie was stunned for a moment, then nodded, his expression becoming serious: "You are right, our goal is indeed more than this. So what should we do next?"

Xu Xin took a deep breath and looked into the distance, as if he had seen the future arena: "We need to train more systematically, not only to improve our personal skills, but also to achieve the ultimate in tactical coordination. Today's victory is just the beginning. The opponents we will face next will be stronger and the challenges will be greater. Therefore, we must continue to improve and cannot relax at all."

After hearing what Xu Xin said, Shaojie also felt a surge of fighting spirit. He clenched his fists and said with a smile, "Okay! Then let's work together to defeat everyone! But..." He paused, with a hint of ridicule in his tone, "You played so steadily today, you must have been practicing secretly again!"

Xu Xin raised his lips slightly, revealing a confident smile: "Of course. Today's victory was within my expectations, but this is only the first step. Next, we still have a lot to do."

Shaojie laughed and patted Xu Xin on the shoulder: "Okay, I feel relieved when you say that! Let's go back and have a good rest, and continue training tomorrow!"

The two smiled at each other and continued walking towards the dormitory. The night breeze blew away the fatigue of the day, but it could not blow away the fighting spirit in their hearts. The road ahead is still long, but they are ready to meet all challenges.

Shaojie's words made Xu Xin slightly stunned, then he laughed, did not answer directly, but continued to walk forward.

The night wind blew gently, bringing a hint of coolness, but it could not blow away the tacit atmosphere between the two.

Seeing Xu Xin didn't respond, Shaojie couldn't help but smiled and shook his head: "I knew it! You must have been practicing secretly again. You are always like this. You have practiced so well, but you always practice a few more hours than others. No wonder you played so steadily today, it turns out you came prepared!"

Xu Xin still did not give a direct answer, but just raised the corners of his mouth slightly, revealing a faint smile.

Her silence seemed to be a kind of acquiescence, and also a kind of silent persistence. Shaojie had long been accustomed to Xu Xin's character. He knew that Xu Xin was a person who had extremely high demands on himself and would never be satisfied with the status quo.

Even if he has performed well enough, Xu Xin will still practice silently until he feels it is perfect.

"Actually, you don't have to work so hard," Shaojie's tone softened, with a hint of concern, "You're already very good. If you keep training like this, your body won't be able to take it."

Xu Xin finally spoke, his voice calm but firm: "Nothing, I just feel it's not enough. Our goal is to stand on the highest podium, so we can't let down our guard at all."

Shaojie couldn't help but feel touched after hearing this.

He knew Xu Xin's persistence and hard work, and understood why he always practiced so hard.

It is precisely because of Xu Xin's attitude that their cooperation has become more and more tacit, making today's victory seem so natural.

"Well, since you're working so hard, I can't fall behind!" Shaojie said with a smile, "Next time you practice, call me and we'll practice together. I don't want to be left too far behind by you!"

Xu Xin turned his head and glanced at Shaojie, a hint of relief flashed in his eyes: "Okay."

The two smiled at each other and continued walking towards the dormitory.

As the night deepened, the glow from the street lamps shone on the two people, lengthening their shadows.

The street was so quiet that the only sounds could be heard were their footsteps and the occasional chirping of insects.

Xu Xin and Shao Jie walked side by side. Although no one spoke, the air was filled with a tacit warmth.

Shaojie looked up at the sky. There were stars twinkling with faint but firm light.

He suddenly felt that he and Xu Xin were like these stars. Although they shined individually, they illuminated each other and together lit up the night sky that belonged to them. "Xu Xin," Shaojie suddenly spoke with a hint of teasing in his tone, "What do you think, if we win the championship, how should we celebrate?"

Xu Xin turned his head and glanced at Shaojie, with the corner of his mouth slightly raised: "Celebrate? Let's talk about it after we really win the championship."

"You really don't leave me any room for fantasy!" Shaojie pouted in dissatisfaction, "But it's true, people like you, even if you win the championship, you will only think about how to maintain your form and prepare for the next game, right?"

Xu Xin did not deny it, but smiled faintly: "The championship is not the end, but just a new starting point."

Shaojie was stunned for a moment after hearing this. He didn't expect Xu Xin to say such a thing, but after thinking about it carefully, he felt that this was indeed in line with Xu Xin's character. He always sees farther than others and thinks more deeply than others.

"You're right," Shaojie nodded, his tone becoming serious, "The championship is just the beginning. What we have to do is not only to win the championship, but also to stay at the top and make sure no one can catch up with us."

Xu Xin did not respond, but there was a hint of approval in his eyes.

He knew that Shaojie finally understood his idea. They not only wanted to win, but also to win thoroughly and for a long time.

The two continued walking and unknowingly arrived at the dormitory building.

Shaojie stretched and said with a smile: "Okay, I'm tired today, let's rest early.

Let’s continue training tomorrow. I don’t want to be left too far behind by you!”

Xu Xin nodded: "Okay, see you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow!" Shaojie waved his hand, turned and walked into the dormitory building.

Xu Xin stood there, watching Shaojie's back disappear in the corridor, and suddenly a warm feeling surged in his heart.

She knew that she was not fighting alone. With a partner like Shaojie and the silent support of Lin Hui and Jianhua, their goal would definitely be achieved.

She looked up at the night sky. The stars were still twinkling, as if guiding him.

Xu Xin took a deep breath, turned around and walked towards his dormitory.

She will still go all out in tomorrow's training, because they still have a long way to go, and their dream has just begun.

After returning to the dormitory, Xu Xin gently closed the door and the room suddenly became quiet.

She walked to the window, and the night breeze blew in through the gap in the window with a hint of coolness, brushing her cheeks.

She looked up at the night sky. The stars were still twinkling, as if silently encouraging her.

Xu Xin took a deep breath, closed his eyes, and began to replay every detail of today's training and competition in his mind.

He clearly remembered every moment of his mistakes - the backhand pull that was not at a sharp enough angle, the forehand attack that was not strong enough, and several times when he was half a beat slow in reacting on defense.

Every mistake was like a thorn in her heart that she couldn't ignore.

"These areas must be improved." Xu Xin whispered to herself. She walked to the desk, took out her notebook, and began to carefully record her problems today.

He analyzed every mistake in detail, and she even drew a schematic diagram of the ball's path, marking the angle and strength she should adjust.

After finishing writing, Xu Xin closed his notebook, leaned back in his chair, and began to simulate tomorrow's training in his mind.

She imagined how she would deal with her opponent's attacks with faster reactions and more precise defense; she imagined how she would create more tricky angles in her attacks so that her opponent would have no way to cope.

It was as if there was an invisible ping-pong table in her mind, where she and her imaginary opponent played fiercely, and every move was repeatedly pondered by him until the best solution was found.

Time passed unknowingly, and the night outside the window grew darker.

Xu Xin finally felt a little tired. She stood up, walked to the bed and sat down, then looked down at her hands.

The calluses on her palms from holding the racket for a long time are a testament to her hard work.

She knew that these calluses would become thicker because she still had a long way to go and her goal was far from being achieved.

"Tomorrow, keep working hard." Xu Xin said softly, then lay down and closed his eyes.

At the same time, in Shaojie's dormitory, he was lying on the bed, tossing and turning, unable to sleep.

Today's training and competition made him very excited, but at the same time he also felt a little pressure.

He knew that Xu Xin's progress was much faster than he expected, and if he didn't work harder, he would probably be left behind.

"No, I can't fall behind." Shaojie sat up and thought about today's table tennis match.

He began to carefully study the technical movements of the game, trying to find something he could learn from them.

Shaojie sat up, leaned against the head of the bed, and began to replay every detail of today's training and game in his mind.

He closed his eyes and seemed to be back in front of the table. He could still hear the crisp sound of the ping-pong ball hitting the racket and the table.

He clearly remembered that he was not decisive enough in handling several balls today, especially when facing Xu Xin's fast attack, his reaction was always half a beat slow.

There were also several times when he was defending, his footwork was not flexible enough, causing him to miss the best opportunity to hit the ball.

"These areas must be improved." Shaojie whispered to himself.

He would think about how Lin Hui's movements were smooth and his steps were flexible when playing today, and how every shot he made seemed to be done with ease.

Shaojie noticed that when facing fast attacks, they were always able to find the best hitting position through quick footwork and accurate prediction.

When attacking, they control the angle and strength of their shots just right, making it difficult to defend against.

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(End of this chapter)