Starting from Taohuawu, kilometers away

As night fell, Li Cheng's car lights broke the silence. His destination was not a comfortable hotel, but a basketball hall in a secluded place.

Pushing the door open, the sound of wooden floor and sneakers rubbing against each other echoed in the empty space.

He jumped up lightly, and with a turn of his wrist, the basketball flew towards the basket like a rabbit and fell into the net accurately.

Li Cheng's figure appeared unusually firm under the dim light.

In the empty basketball hall, the lights were exceptionally bright, shining on Li Cheng, highlighting his athletic physique forged by daily training.

His eyes were deep and firm, as if he could see the light of victory through the darkness.

Every time he shot, he was fully focused and his eyes were sharp, as if he was about to stand on the Olympic stage in the next moment.

His eyes, like the brightest stars in the night sky, sparkle with endless love for basketball and desire for the Olympics.

His focused eyes reveal his determination, and every dribble and every shot reflects his pursuit of victory.

His movements were smooth and precise, and every turn and every jump revealed his love and respect for the sport of basketball. Even in this silent moment, his concentration remained undiminished, and he strived for perfection in every shot, as if the whole world was watching his graceful dance.

Sweat slid down his forehead and dripped onto the wooden floor silently.

However, even in this silent night, his resolute and determined gaze seemed to tell the world that his heartbeat was in sync with the rhythm of the court and his breathing was synchronized with the tense atmosphere of the game.

Li Cheng's shot was accurate. The ball drew a beautiful arc in the air and fell accurately into the basket.

At that moment, time seemed to freeze, and his expression was solemn and deep, as if he was having a conversation with himself, constantly challenging his own limits.

He fought alone in the empty basketball arena, and every successful shot seemed to be a step closer to the pinnacle of the Olympic arena.

After the practice, Li Cheng stood quietly in the center of the field, looking around, his heart filled with infinite expectations and fighting spirit for the upcoming Olympics.

He knew that in order to compete in the Olympics, he had to maintain this lonely and persistent training and constantly hone his skills.

So he took a deep breath, turned around and left the basketball hall, drove his car away into the night, leaving behind silence and infinite longing for the future.
-
As night fell and the lights came on, the reporter's car was hidden in the shadows in front of an elegantly decorated restaurant. His eyes were as sharp as an eagle's, and the camera in his hand was ready to go.

Inside the hotel, the dinner party of the Jiuchongzi crew was in full swing, with a huge crowd and lots of laughter and chatter.

Finally, Li Cheng appeared at the door. He gentlemanly opened the car door for each actor one by one and ensured they got in the car safely.

The reporter's heart beat faster, and the camera in his hand was ready to capture the exciting moment at any time.

When Sister Meng was put into the car, the reporters' eyes followed Li Cheng. Just when the reporters thought they were about to catch a bombshell, Li Cheng walked towards his car.

The reporter hesitated for a moment, but curiosity and professional instinct drove him to follow.

In the traffic, the two cars kept a distance from each other. The reporter's mood was like riding a roller coaster, ups and downs. The wheels rolled hurriedly in the night, and he secretly speculated about the explosive news that was about to come.

However, things turned out to be unexpected - Li Cheng did not go to the expected luxury hotel or the bustling nightlife venue, but drove to a basketball hall.

The reporter parked the car and followed in with confusion and excitement.

The reporter was stunned. This was completely different from the scandals and party scenes he had expected.

Li Cheng stretched his muscles, looking focused and serious, as if the dinner just now was just an episode in his life.

The lights in the basketball hall were bright, and the rustling sound of sneakers rubbing against the wooden floor broke the noise in the reporter's heart.

He watched Li Cheng throw one accurate ball after another. Sweat soaked his jersey, but it did not affect the smoothness of his movements at all.

The reporter suddenly realized that this might be the secret of Li Cheng's maintaining his form; his professionalism was far beyond what the outside world saw.

Two hours passed in a flash and Li Cheng finally finished his training.

The reporter hid in the dark, feeling mixed emotions.

He did not get the gossip he expected, but he saw the unknown hard work and persistence of an actor.

At this moment, he had to admit that what Li Cheng gave him was far more shocking than a simple dinner.
-
Li Cheng returned to the hotel and fell exhaustedly on the soft bed, eager to escape the entanglement of reality in a deep sleep.

On the eve of his meeting with Zhou Gong, a figure sneaked around under the dim street lights, holding a high-definition camera in his hand, his eyes flashing with greed and cunning.

The entertainment reporter had just finished following Li Cheng for a whole day, and he couldn't wait to post the exclusive news online.

When Li Cheng was sleeping, those dedicated entertainment reporters did not let him go. They followed him like a shadow, recording the side of him that he did not want to show under the spotlight.

With the click of fingertips, several videos and a series of photos exploded on the Internet like a bolt of lightning.

In the video, Li Cheng and the crew members walked out of the restaurant with laughter after dinner. Then the scene changed and he came to the brightly lit gymnasium. Li Cheng's figure leaped on the basketball court, and every shot seemed so natural, as if outside the screen, there was a completely different Li Cheng, sweating and releasing his love for basketball.

However, the moment these photos and videos were uploaded to the Internet, the entire online world was like being dropped with a blockbuster bomb, and it instantly became abuzz.

The comment section became a battlefield, with two groups of opinions clashing fiercely: one group praised Li Cheng for his versatility, saying that he could not only interpret life in the drama, but also show his style on the court. They believed that Li Cheng was a well-deserved all-rounder, not only had outstanding performance in the entertainment industry, but also shone in the field of sports. They appreciated his wonderful performances on different platforms and expressed their admiration for him.

The other side questioned his greed and his desire to have his cake and eat it all in the entertainment and sports circles. They believed that Li Cheng's move was to pursue more attention and try to occupy a place in both the entertainment and sports circles. This practice is despicable.

In this invisible debate, Li Cheng's image was pushed to the forefront.

His focused and serious profile on the court became the focus of people's debate, and also reflected his inner conflicts and struggles.

Beneath this glamorous surface, what Li Cheng feels is not a sense of accomplishment, but endless pressure and exploration of his own identity.
-
In Shanghai under the night sky, neon lights and stars compete for brilliance. Tian Xiwei stands at the door of the studio, the colorful lights reflected in her eyes, tired but determined.

After finishing a day of filming, she felt as if she had unloaded a heavy burden, exhaled lightly, took out her phone, and her fingertips danced on the screen. The moment she opened Weibo, her heart tightened slightly. On the hot search list, the name of her boyfriend Li Cheng was hanging high, like a shooting star across the night sky, attracting attention.

Tian Xiwei tapped lightly with her fingers, and the hot search content appeared in front of her. It turned out to be Li Cheng’s training time after the crew dinner. He was sweating profusely on the basketball court. Those photos and videos recorded his energy and seriousness.

Although she knew Li Cheng's schedule very well, Tian Xiwei couldn't help but smile knowingly when she saw these updates.

She knew that Li Cheng always released stress and enjoyed life in this way.

As a public figure, his reputation is inevitably polarized. Some people praise his acting skills and hard work, while others question his choices and performances. However, Tian Xiwei understands that her boyfriend pursues his love for art and persistence in life.

There was a hint of tenderness in her eyes, and her fingers stroked lightly across the screen. Those photos seemed to bring her thoughts closer.

Although she was in the bustling and noisy Shanghai, late at night, her heart was only filled with him who was far away.

She took a deep breath, turned off her phone, and her mind was clear: no matter what others said, she supported Li Cheng in pursuing his dream.
-
Tian Xiwei stood in front of the mirror in the bathroom. The mirror reflected her figure with light makeup on. Her fingertips touched the cool water. She frowned slightly, feeling the slippery residue of the cleanser, and gently removed the makeup on her face.

Her eyes were focused and her fingers gently stroked her cheeks, as if she was saying goodbye to the hustle and bustle of the day.

The warm light in the bathroom cast a soft glow, illuminating the insignificant blemishes on her delicate skin.

The faucet dripped water gently, and the crystal drops reflected the soft light. The air was filled with the faint fragrance of makeup remover.

The light in the bathroom was soft and warm, shining on Tian Xiwei's slightly flushed cheeks. She gently wiped her wet face with a towel. At this time, her cell phone rang. It was a message from Li Cheng's aunt Li Xue.

The topic of their conversation naturally fell on Li Cheng, the man who was still on the basketball court after a late-night dinner.

Tian Xiwei carefully removed her eye makeup, wiping gently with a cotton pad, which took away the color and brought a slight stinging sensation.

“He’s still working so hard.”

Sister-in-law Li Xue’s message was full of understanding and support.

Tian Xiwei smiled and replied: "The Olympics are approaching, he must go all out."

The conversation between the two jumped on the screen, and the topic revolved around Li Cheng's efforts and his family's expectations. The glory of the Olympics is not only a personal honor, but also the pride of the family.

In the message box, the conversation between the two was smooth and tacit, and they both knew Li Cheng's personality and pursuits.

Tian Xiwei's fingers jumped on the screen, and the words between the lines revealed her support and encouragement for Li Cheng.

Her heart is full of expectations for the future and her anticipation for Li Cheng's performance in the Olympics.

As the last trace of mascara was removed, Tian Xiwei turned off her phone and placed it on the sink beside her.

She looked at herself clearly reflected in the mirror, her heart filled with understanding and support for Li Cheng, and hope and longing for the future.

Without her makeup, she seemed to have unloaded a heavy burden, revealing a radiance that radiates from within, which is the result of her persistence in love and dreams.

On this seemingly ordinary night, Tian Xiwei and Li Cheng's sister-in-law Li Xue had a brief chat in the small bathroom, sharing their pride in Li Cheng and their expectations for the Olympic dream.

The light in the bathroom seemed to become warmer and brighter as a result.
-
Fan Chengcheng finished filming for the night and walked out of the theater tiredly. There was a hint of imperceptible dampness in the dull night.

He got into the car, the cold and hard touch of the leather seat passed through the fabric to his skin, and the air-conditioning in the car seemed to bring him a sense of fresh awakening.

With the sound of the car door opening, the driver started the engine and the car slowly drove towards the hotel.

His eyes fell on the screen of his mobile phone, and what caught his eye was the name of his childhood friend Li Cheng, which once again topped the hot search list.

The corners of his mouth rose unconsciously, and a hint of pride flashed in his eyes.

Li Cheng, once a nimble figure on the court, is now a shining star on the Olympic roster.

Fan Chengcheng is proud of his childhood friend and happy for his success.

However, in addition to the joy, a slight sense of melancholy passed through Fan Chengcheng's heart.

He and Li Cheng, brothers who grew up together, have not seen each other for a long time because of their respective busy schedules.

Fan Chengcheng silently calculated in his mind that they hadn't had a good chat for several months since the last gathering.

He decided that when he had a break, he would take time out to go to Hengdian to find the long-lost familiarity and warmth.

The night scene outside the car window receded like flowing water. The light of neon lights danced in Fan Chengcheng's eyes, but could not conceal his inner expectations.

He put down his phone and let the silence in the car envelop him, but his thoughts had already flown far away, flying to the moment when he was about to meet his old friend.

The city at night is like a flowing ocean, with neon lights swaying in it.

He suddenly felt an inexplicable emptiness. It seemed that he and Li Cheng had not seen each other for a long time.

At this moment, he felt a strong urge to go to Hengdian immediately to reunite with his old friend.

The night in Ningbo was quiet and profound. As the vehicle moved forward, Fan Chengcheng's heart got closer and closer, and he was full of anticipation for the upcoming reunion.

He knew that no matter how time changed, the friendship between him and Li Cheng was as deep and long-lasting as the history of this city.
-
Li Cheng's breathing was particularly clear in the quiet room. His brows relaxed slightly, as if he also felt the tranquility in his dream. A ray of sunlight passed through the gap in the curtains and quietly climbed onto his pillow, but failed to disturb his deep sleep. He had a smile on his face, as if he was immersed in the joy of playing chess with Zhou Gong.

In the online world, information surges like a tide. In the virtual space, the collision of opinions and the clamor of voices constitute an invisible debate. The terms on the hot search list keep rolling, like the focus of the debate. For a time, the Internet has become a battlefield without gunpowder.

However, all this has nothing to do with Li Cheng. He is unaware of the disturbances in the outside world and only enjoys the peace in his own little world. He unconsciously grasps a corner of the quilt, as if it is a bridge connecting him to his dream. The peace that cannot be found in reality is satisfied in the dream. (End of this chapter)