Table tennis: Swinging the racket billions of times, achieving a grand slam

Chapter 324 Dilemma
Close-to-the-table control, close-to-the-table fast attack, mid-range counter-loop, long-range high ball, ball speed, spin...

After testing both forehand and backhand, Chen Jin was full of praise.

"In terms of overall performance, it's no less than the N301 I'm currently using."

Chen Jin weighed it again, "In fact, the power and arc of the forehand long-range shot are even better."

In table tennis, the backhand determines the lower limit, but the forehand determines the upper limit.

No matter how good your backhand is, without a forehand, it's difficult to truly reach the top.

Zhang Jike, Ma Long, and Fan Zhendong are all excellent examples.

Of course, no matter how good your forehand is, without a strong backhand to cover, it's still difficult to reach the top.

Xu Xin was secretly delighted to receive such praise from Chen Jin.

Judging from his expression and tone, there are only two words to describe it—there's hope!
Back then, Butterfly was on the verge of bankruptcy, but thanks to Zhang Jike's endorsement, it rose to prominence and became one of the world's leading manufacturers of table tennis equipment.

Although Xuperman is still a young and trendy brand, Xu Xin believes that as long as they sign Chen Jin and ensure the quality of their products, they will eventually become a world-renowned equipment brand, just like Butterfly.

And now, his idea has finally taken its most important first step.

"It is an honor for us Xuperman to receive such high praise from you, a future Grand Slam champion."

Xu Xin laughed and said, "In your future competitions, let this gold X accompany you on your journey."

"You can try it."

Chen Jin nodded, "The Chinese Table Tennis Super League Finals are in a few days. I'll try it out for a while first."

"If it feels good, why not sign Xuperman?"

It's clear that Xu Xin has put a lot of thought and effort into debugging this gold X.

Otherwise, it wouldn't have been so easy to use when trying it out.

Given Xu Xin's sincerity, he had to do him a favor.

"no problem."

Xu Xin beamed with joy, "In addition, I've also prepared a spare racket for you."

"The performance is almost exactly the same as the one you have."

It must be said that Xu Xin's considerations were quite comprehensive.

This alone makes him much more likable.

Afterwards, they visited the stadium.

Together with Xu Xin, we played some fun ball games, such as hitting balls to open bottle caps and blindfolded bowling.

Xu Xin is known for his touch, but Chen Jin's touch is no less impressive.

The two of them had a great time.

I glanced at the time; it was almost ten o'clock.

How about we have lunch together?

While juggling the ball with flair, Xu Xin said to Chen Jin, "It's on me."

Chen Jin hadn't spoken yet.

But Zhang Jiahao spoke first: "Brother Jin and I already have an appointment for noon."

"Oh?"

Xu Xin paused for a moment, "Where should we meet? How about we go together?"

"UV".

Zhang Jiahao grinned, "Someone's treating."

"UV?"

As a resident of Shanghai, Xu Xin was well aware of the fame of this mysterious restaurant. "I bet the person who invited me must be Xie Mingyang."

"Bingo!"

Zhang Jiahao laughed.

Just saying.

Sudden.

Chen Jin's cell phone rang loudly.

The caller ID reads: Xie Mingyang.

"Chen Jin".

Xie Mingyang's tone was as indifferent as ever, "I'm done on my end, how about yours?"

"almost."

Chen Jin glanced at Xu Xin.

Xu Xin was still juggling the ball, seemingly oblivious to what was happening.

"it is good."

Xie Mingyang said, "Uncle Han is already waiting for you outside the Xuperman Arena in his car."

I hung up the phone and went outside to take a look.

The black Maybach, as expected, was parked on the side of the road with its hazard lights on.

After stepping forward and greeting Uncle Han, Chen Jin turned to Xu Xin and said, "Brother Xin, thank you for the hospitality and your racket."

"I hope to face you on the court in the Chinese Table Tennis Super League finals."

Xu Xin waved his hands repeatedly and laughed, "Playing around in private is fine, but let's forget about competing on the field."

"I still want to keep my old bones so I can take my little one to Disneyland a few more times."

Hear the words.

Chen Jin smiled.

In the first stage of the Chinese Table Tennis Super League, the Shanghai Real Estate Team will face off against the Huangshi Huaxin Team.

In the fifth match, Xu Xin's opponent was Lin Shidong.

It was this old man who, when facing the young main players of the Chinese national table tennis team, managed to drag the match into the final game despite being down 0-2 in the score.

In the end, Lin Shidong defeated Xu Xin with a score of 3:2, but it was a victory that was still humiliating.

Therefore, even though Xu Xin said those words, Chen Jin knew in his heart that as soon as he stepped onto the field, the flame in Xu Xin's heart that had never been extinguished would immediately burn brightly again.

For example, in 19, his indomitable fighting spirit on the field had already become part of his very being.

True professional players, once they step onto the field, have only one thought in mind.

—Give it your all and win the game!

This fighting spirit will not easily dissipate, even after the game.

Instead of having a "what's done is done" mentality.

Sitting in the car, he waved goodbye to Xu Xin.

With the engine roaring like a wild beast, Uncle Han drove the vehicle away at breakneck speed.

"Uncle Han."

Zhang Jiahao asked cautiously, "Are we going straight to the UV clinic?"

"Do not."

The middle-aged man shook his head, gripping the steering wheel with both hands, his eyes fixed straight ahead. "UV's rules state that guests cannot go there on their own; they can only travel in UV's own commercial vehicles."

"So mysterious?"

Zhang Jiahao stuck out his tongue. "If you didn't know better, you'd think we were going to join the Heaven and Earth Society."

"People who go to UV are either rich or powerful. Aren't they afraid of being kidnapped?"

Uncle Han: "..."

"correct."

Zhang Jiahao kept rambling on, "Do I need to wear a tie to get UV protection?"

What should I do if I don't have a tie?

"Uncle Han, did you bring a pen? Can I borrow it for a moment?"

Forty minutes later.

Arrive at No. 18 Bund, downstairs from Mr & Mrs Bund restaurant.

Xie Mingyang stood with his hands in his pockets, waiting silently.

A minivan was parked nearby.

"Just the three of us?"

Chen Jin looked around.

He researched some information online beforehand to prepare for this meal.

Knowing that UV Restaurant only serves ten guests a day.

"Ah."

Xie Mingyang nodded, "I've booked the entire venue."

"I don't really like eating with strangers."

After getting in the car.

Following the Suzhou River, turning into the alleys, and after many twists and turns, we finally arrived at the gate of a dilapidated old factory.

Looking at the peeling cement walls, the exposed plastic water pipes, and the several cables winding like snakes, there was even an unremarkable and unsightly electric scooter parked at the entrance.

Such an environment was like a bucket of ice water poured over his head, instantly extinguishing all of Zhang Jiahao's fantasies.

"Where's the promised top-tier restaurant?"

Zhang Jiahao was utterly disappointed. "Where's my silver spoon? Where are my diamond-encrusted cutlery? Where's my blonde, black-stockinged waitress?"

"That's it? That's it? That's it?"

Ignoring the somewhat distraught Zhang Jiahao, Xie Mingyang put his hands in his pockets and walked straight inside.

As soon as you enter the door.

Immediately, someone came to greet him: "Are you Mr. Xie?"

"Yes."

Xie Mingyang nodded.

"Please come this way with your friend."

Led by the waiter, the three quickly arrived at UV's main restaurant.

High walls on all four sides, surrounded by screens.

There weren't even any windows. In the very center, there was nothing but a long white table and ten chairs.

Several projectors and countless spotlights were hanging overhead.

The space, though seemingly enclosed, didn't feel oppressive or stuffy at all.

A faint fragrance lingered in the air.

After the three sat down, the waiter turned and left, and the lights gradually dimmed.

Zhang Jiahao whispered, "Why do I have this feeling of déjà vu from the Ghost Stories Association?"

"Are we going to have mutton later?"

The words have not yet fallen.

Sudden.

The surrounding screens lit up, displaying images that made it feel like being in the Bund at night.

At that moment, a deep and magnetic male voice rang out: "Welcome to Ultraviolet."

"Here, you will enjoy the ultimate sensory dining experience."

"The banquet will officially begin in eighteen minutes. Please take a short rest."

Hear the words.

Zhang Jiahao rubbed his stomach: "Another eighteen minutes?"

"Hey, wait."

"Where's the menu?"

"We haven't ordered yet, have we?"

Xie Mingyang glanced at him, his disdain growing even stronger.

He simply turned his head away and closed his eyes to rest.

"When eating at UV, you don't need to order; you just eat whatever they serve."

Chen Jin sighed, "Didn't you do your research before coming?"

"Eating and playing are different; it's no fun if you do your research in advance."

Zhang Jiahao laughed.

He turned his head to look at the constantly changing scene around him, but it held no appeal for him.

"It will take another ten minutes or so."

Zhang Jiahao shrugged slightly. "Why don't I play on my phone for a while?"

As he said that, he took out his cell phone.

It was unlocked immediately.

Accompanied by a series of "whooshing" sounds, a flood of messages poured into the phone.

They are all push notifications from various software programs.

Zhang Jiahao was about to clear it with one click.

Suddenly, his gaze froze, his expression changed, as if he had discovered something unbelievable.

Seeing that Zhang Jiahao's expression was strange, Chen Jin frowned slightly and asked, "What's wrong?"

Still seemingly shaken, Zhang Jiahao looked up, his eyes still filled with disbelief: "Dong-ge has dropped out of the world rankings."

"Who?"

Chen Jin was stunned for a moment.

"Brother Dong."

Zhang Jiahao said, "Fan Zhendong."

Swish!
Xie Mingyang suddenly opened his eyes.

"really?"

Chen Jin frowned deeply.

"Erhu!"

Zhang Jiahao handed the phone to Chen Jin.

What caught Chen Jin's eye was a blog post that Fan Zhendong had just published.

"It's actually true."

Chen Jin said in a deep voice.

At this moment, even Xie Mingyang couldn't help but come over.

"Fine for withdrawing from the competition?"

Xie Mingyang frowned. "Isn't this just the email we signed before?"

"Speaking of which, after the Paris Olympics, apart from the National Championships and this Chinese Super League, Dong Ge hasn't participated in any other competitions, such as Grand Slam tournaments, championships, or Asian Championships."

Chen Jin carefully read through Fan Zhendong's blog post again.

According to the current rules of the International Table Tennis Federation, world rankings have a significant impact.

It not only concerns automatic qualification for WTT, but also the World Cup and World Table Tennis Championships, which are closely related to world rankings.

Removing from the world rankings means withdrawing from the international arena.

It's hard to imagine what he was feeling when he wrote this blog post, given that he had just won the singles title at the Paris Olympics and become a Super Grand Slam winner, and that he has loved table tennis for ten years.

11:11?

Chen Jin suddenly noticed the details in the blog post.

As we all know, each game in table tennis is won by eleven points.

Fan Zhendong has been a member of the national team for eleven years now...

"Wasn't Dong Ge forced to withdraw from the competition?"

Zhang Jiahao lowered his voice and said angrily, "It must be because Dong Ge won the gold medal at the Paris Olympics, which made some people unhappy, so they deliberately didn't register Dong Ge to participate in the competition."

"not necessarily."

Xie Mingyang narrowed his eyes slightly, "I have some connections with Dong Ge, and I feel that the reason he frequently withdraws from the competition is probably because he really wants to rest."

During the Paris Cycle, in just two short years, Fan Zhendong experienced a great deal.

Hotel incidents, ID card leaks, fan group harassment...

In addition, his form in the first half of the year, including the loss at the Saudi Grand Slam, is truly worrying.

At the Paris Olympics, facing immense pressure after his teammates lost half of the draw, he ultimately won the championship.

The psychological strain will inevitably be severe.

Now that he has received so much honor, it is only natural that he wants to take a break.

"Perhaps it's because Dong Ge won the championship in Paris and gained a lot of attention, WTT wanted him to come out and play to earn ticket revenue, but Dong Ge was determined to rest, so the two sides had a conflict."

Xie Mingyang interlaced his fingers and placed them on his chest, then slowly said, "WTT introduced the rule of fines for withdrawal in order to force Dong Ge to comply, but we did not expect Dong Ge to be so resolute and uncompromising, choosing to confront WTT head-on."

"No, no, no, I don't think this is that simple."

Zhang Jiahao said in a low voice, "I heard a rumor before that the higher-ups want Director Wang to replace someone and take charge of the Table Tennis Association."

"Could it be that someone doesn't want to step down, so Director Wang and Brother Dong came up with a plan to use this opportunity to manipulate public opinion..."

Speaking of which.

He paused, then didn't continue.

However, the meaning is already quite clear.

"While public opinion may be fierce, for that person's status, achievements are the most important thing."

Xie Mingyang's tone remained calm: "As long as his grades are good, he can remain as stable as Mount Tai. No matter how turbulent the public opinion is, it's just that the waves at the foot of the mountain are bigger."

The two held their own opinions, and neither could convince the other.

Only Chen Jin remained silent.

"With Chen Jin, an undefeated god of war, the Chinese national table tennis team now has an almost unshakeable position. It is virtually impossible for their status to be shaken."

Xie Mingyang glanced at Chen Jin, "Unless Chen Jin chooses sides."

With Chen Jin's strength, he is invincible on the field and can easily maintain his results.

However, Chen Jin is now practically a member of the Shanghai team.

If Wang Liqin were to ask him for help...

In these turbulent times, Xie Mingyang felt more and more that Chen Jin was in a dilemma.

"It makes sense."

Zhang Jiahao finally agreed with Xie Mingyang's point of view, "Brother Jin, who do you choose?"

"If that's really the case, do you think I have a choice?"

Chen Jin smiled wryly, "Don't make wild guesses. Doing your job is more important than anything else right now."

He just finished speaking.

The cell phone rang suddenly.

It was Wang Hao calling.

With his left index finger pressed lightly against his lips, Chen Jin made a shushing gesture before answering the call: "Coach Wang, what can I do for you?"

"Correct."

Wang Hao's voice was somewhat anxious, and he didn't beat around the bush, getting straight to the point, "Little Fatty... have you seen about Fan Zhendong's withdrawal from the world rankings?"

"I saw it."

Chen Jin hummed in agreement.

"Remember, in any situation, especially in public, do not speak carelessly, and even more so, do not take sides."

Wang Hao lowered his voice, his tone deep, "Whether it's Instructor Liu or Director Wang, if they approach you privately, be cautious. Don't act impulsively..."

There was still more to say.

A slightly disgruntled shout came from the other end of the phone.

Wang Hao covered the microphone and responded.

Then, he said in a deep voice, "Remember, remember!"

Before Chen Jin could speak, he hurriedly hung up the phone.

Although Wang Hao did not elaborate, Chen Jin vaguely sensed that a battle off the field had quietly begun.

Perhaps, even he couldn't avoid it.

(End of this chapter)