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

Chapter 486 A man is a boy until he dies

The Chinese Table Tennis Super League has temporarily come to an end.

Zhang Yang was overjoyed with his perfect record of nine wins.

He paid for the meal out of his own pocket.

The coaches and players of the Shanghai team gathered together, clinking glasses.

Laughter and cheers filled the air.

After finishing a glass of juice, Zhang Jiahao burped.

He immediately stood up, loosened his belt, and bounced around a few times.

Then he sat down again and continued to eat his fill of ghee.

"Brother Dong."

Zhang Jiahao's mouth was stuffed full and greasy. He seemed to suddenly remember something and looked at Fan Zhendong sitting diagonally across from him. "Are you really planning to go to Europe to play?"

This question is actually somewhat redundant.

After all, the news of Fan Zhendong joining the Bundesliga table tennis club Saarbrücken had already been officially announced a few days before the start of the Chinese Table Tennis Super League.

It's written in black and white, a done deal.

"Ah."

Fan Zhendong nodded, put down his chopsticks, and continued with his steady movements. "I had communicated with the Table Tennis Association before, and they are supportive in all aspects."

"I also want to go to Europe to experience different playing styles and environments."

The tone is flat.

However, those who know him well can discern a complex meaning within this ordinariness.

In recent years, the domestic table tennis environment has become increasingly dominated by fan culture, losing its original purity.

You get criticized whether you lose or win.

Even attending a concert during a break in a competition can be magnified and interpreted endlessly.

The outcome of each match involves conflicts that extend far beyond the realm of competition.

Although Fan Zhendong has spoken out many times to ban fan culture, it is still difficult to stop.

This is an invisible drain on Fan Zhendong, who is focused solely on playing basketball.

More importantly, the Paris cycle left me physically and mentally exhausted.

Behind the glory lies countless pain and pressure, and an unwavering belief that remains unknown to others.

Therefore, he needs a pure environment where he can rediscover his most primal love for table tennis.

Perhaps the Bundesliga would be a good choice.

At least it allows you to stay away from fandom culture.

"Ah~"

Zhang Jiahao sighed, a hint of regret in his eyes, "I originally thought that after Director Wang took over as the chairman of the Table Tennis Association, Dong Ge, you would soon return to the national table tennis team."

"There's a chance."

Fan Zhendong smiled slightly, "I'm just going to Europe to play, not retiring from the national table tennis team. Who knows, I might come back to the team someday?"

After all, he spent more than a decade with the Chinese national table tennis team.

He dedicated almost all of his youth and passion to this.

"and……"

Fan Zhendong turned to look at Chen Jin and said, "With you, Chen Jin, Xie Mingyang, Wang Chuqin, and Lin Shidong in the current national table tennis team, I feel very reassured."

"I can finally relax a little, temporarily unload the burden, and enjoy the life I want."

"Attend a few Taylor Swift concerts, watch a few Premier League matches, play some tennis, try baseball..."

He spoke casually and nonchalantly.

His tone and expression were full of longing and anticipation.

This caused everyone present to fall silent for a moment.

For ten years, Fan Zhendong dedicated his best years, all his sweat, passion, and health to the Chinese national table tennis team.

From a greenhorn just starting out to a super Grand Slam winner known to everyone in the world.

The Paris Olympics, in particular, reduced him to nothing but a relic.

Now that you've achieved success and fame, what's wrong with pursuing happiness outside of table tennis?

"Brother Dong."

Chen Jin picked up the juice in front of him, stood up, and looked at Fan Zhendong with a solemn and sincere expression. "I understand and respect all your choices. I wish you all the best in the Bundesliga."

"At the same time, I also look forward to the day when you make your triumphant return!"

The last time the two faced off on the court was during last year's Chinese Table Tennis Super League.

Although Chen Jin won, Fan Zhendong at that time had no systematic training.

Chen Jin always felt that his victory was unfair.

What he longed for was a perfectly fair duel with this respected opponent and senior, when both were at their peak.

Looking at the young man in front of him, who was already capable of taking over the mantle of the Chinese national table tennis team, Fan Zhendong's eyes flashed with a hint of satisfaction and admiration.

He stood up and gently clinked glasses with Chen Jin.

"Thank you."

Fan Zhendong met Chen Jin's gaze and said, "I also look forward to playing against you again on the real court."

"I believe that day will come soon."

Chen Jin nodded emphatically.

After they finished speaking, the two looked at each other and smiled.

it is more than words.

……

The dinner is over.

It was already late when we got back to the hotel.

In the lobby, I happened to run into the Shandong Luneng team, who were also returning from a dinner party.

Xie Mingyang was also in the crowd.

"Lao Xie."

From a distance, Chen Jin greeted him warmly and stepped forward, "You'll be back on the 20th, so there's still more than a week left. What are your plans?"

According to the competition schedule, there are no other competitions in June except for the Chinese Table Tennis Super League.

However, what follows is the US Grand Slam, which starts on July 3.

The entry lists for the US Grand Slam tournaments have already been released.

Chen Jin goes without saying.

Xie Mingyang and Zhang Jiahao are also among the singles players.

Therefore, as required by the coaching staff, all coaches and athletes returned to the team on June 20 to prepare for the US Grand Slam.

Before this, it was all a holiday.

"Not ready yet."

Xie Mingyang shook his head, his expression as calm as ever. "What suggestions do you have?"

"Why don't you come stay at my place for a few days?"

Chen Jin smiled.

"Go to your home?"

Xie Mingyang was stunned for a moment.

Clearly, no one expected Chen Jin to extend such an invitation.

Before Xie Mingyang could react...

Zhang Jiahao, who was standing to the side, was the first to shout: "I've never been invited to your house so formally before. What makes you think you're worthy of this invitation, Xie?"

Chen Jin ignored Zhang Jiahao and looked at Xie Mingyang instead: "That smart wheelchair, you must have given it to me, right?"

"what?"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jiahao was somewhat surprised.

"Did you guess it?"

Xie Mingyang's eyes flickered slightly.

"It's really you."

Zhang Jiahao curled his lip, "I've ridden in that wheelchair before. It can go up to 30 km/h and even drift... Xie, you're not trying to harm Uncle Chen by giving him a wheelchair like that, are you?"

"I looked it up online. That wheelchair integrates cutting-edge technologies such as visual navigation, voice interaction, and autonomous obstacle avoidance. It can also assist in standing and climbing stairs, which is beneficial to health. It's not even in mass production yet."

Chen Jin laughed and said, "Besides you, Young Master Xie, I really can't think of anyone else who could get their hands on this."

Xie Mingyang shrugged slightly and said casually, "It's just a wheelchair; as long as it's useful, that's fine."

"My father-in-law and my dad both want to thank you in person."

Chen Jin laughed and said, "How about it? Will you do me the honor?"

"it is good."

Xie Mingyang nodded without hesitation.

—Hey, hey, hey, are you two even listening to me?

—Are you deliberately ignoring me?

Why do you two give off the vibe of meeting the parents?
Zhang Jiahao was internally ranting and raving.

The next day.

Chen Jin, Xie Mingyang, and Zhang Jiahao flew straight back to S Province.

After getting off the plane, I went straight to the hospital.

In the ward.

Chen Jianguo skillfully maneuvered the intelligent wheelchair, moving back and forth in the limited space with ease.

If it weren't for the venue limitations, he would have loved to perform a wheelchair drift in public.

At that time, there were still several children wearing hospital gowns in the ward.

"Uncle Chen."

A child said in a clear voice, "I want to see Ultraman transform."

"Row."

Chen Jianguo readily agreed.

Immediately, he activated the standing function to aid his health. He then casually slipped an Ultraman mask onto his face.

As the function was activated, the wheelchair seemed to transform into a mecha, steadily lifting Chen Jianguo into a semi-standing position.

"Ultraman, transform!"

Chen Jianguo raised his hand and made a dynamic light wave gesture, "biu biu biu~biu biu biu~"

This immediately drew cheers from the children.

Chen Jin, Xie Mingyang, and Zhang Jiahao stood at the door with smiles on their faces, watching Chen Jianguo play with a group of children, without going forward to disturb them.

"A man remains a boy until he dies."

Zhang Jiahao laughed.

It was the father-in-law who came back from fetching water who found the three of them and invited them inside.

Feeling embarrassed that his son had seen him being so irreverent, Chen Jianguo quickly explained to Chen Jin, "These kids are all hospitalized. Some have leukemia and are undergoing chemotherapy... I was just bored, so I played around with them."

"Good."

Chen Jin smiled, "You seem to be in good spirits."

"Children!"

Zhang Jiahao suddenly said, "Let's lend our light to the invincible Ultraman, and let Ultraman help you drive away your illnesses, okay?"

"it is good!"

All the children spoke in unison.

Even parents and other patients joined in.

“biu biu biu~”

“biu biu biu~”

For a time, the sounds continued.

With a hint of piety.

Chen Jianguo also did his best to cooperate with the performance.

Shortly after.

The doctor made his rounds, and everyone dispersed.

The ward returned to quiet.

Chen Jianguo lay back down on the bed.

Compared to before, her complexion is noticeably better.

"Xiao Xie, thank you so much."

Chen Jianguo held Xie Mingyang's hand, his gratitude overflowing, "This gift of yours has touched my heart."

"The doctors, nurses, and other patients on this floor are all envious."

Even people from other floors have come to see this high-tech wheelchair; I'm practically a celebrity in the hospital ward now.

Xie Mingyang smiled slightly: "I'm glad Uncle likes it."

night.

arrive home.

My father-in-law personally cooked a sumptuous meal.

"My father-in-law's braised pork is so delicious, even better than that of a five-star hotel executive chef."

Xie Mingyang praised it highly, saying, "I was fortunate enough to try it last time, and I still miss it. It was truly worth the trip to finally get to eat it again today."

His words made the grandfather burst into laughter.

Sitting next to him, Zhang Jiahao took a big bite of the braised pork, pouted, and muttered, "Sycophant!"

After meal.

They put Zhang Jiahao on the subway home.

Chen Jin knew that Xie Mingyang was a bit of a germaphobe and was worried that he wouldn't be used to living in his home.

So, I decided to book a room for Xie Mingyang at a nearby hotel.

Unexpectedly, Xie Mingyang refused outright: "No need for that trouble. Your room looks quite clean, so I'll sleep here."

Chen Jin did not insist on this.

That night, Xie Mingyang stayed in Chen Jin's room.

Chen Jin, on the other hand, slept on the living room sofa.

The next few days.

Chen Jin, acting as a tour guide, invited Zhang Jiahao to join Xie Mingyang on a trip around the country.

See pandas at Bifeng Gorge, and admire the sea of ​​clouds at Mount Emei.

Ask about the Dao at Mount Qingcheng, and pay homage to the Dujiangyan Irrigation System.

Hot pot, spicy stew, mala tang, braised duck, fatty intestines, and rabbit brains.

"Chen Jin".

During a break from eating, drinking, and having fun, Xie Mingyang said, "Uncle should be discharged from the hospital soon, right? The recovery period is still long, and he needs to rest."

“You live in an old neighborhood without an elevator, so it must be very inconvenient for you to go up and down the stairs every day.”

In fact, Chen Jin had already considered this issue.

"really."

Chen Jin seemed to be deep in thought.

"My home is around here, and there happens to be a housing development nearby..."

Xie Mingyang hadn't finished speaking.

Chen Jin interrupted him, saying, "Stop! I'll buy the house myself."

"Row."

Xie Mingyang glanced at him, "I'll give you an insider price."

"You can have this."

Chen Jin smiled.

However, when he told Chen Jianguo about this idea, Chen Jianguo firmly opposed it.

The reason is simple: I'm used to living here.

Chen Jin knew that Chen Jianguo had lived in that old house for more than ten years, and had memories and feelings for it.

Understanding his father's conviction, I didn't force him to continue.

Xie Mingyang stood to the side, watching the father and son's conversation, and pondered for a moment: "How about this, install an elevator."

"Install an elevator?"

Chen Jianguo was slightly taken aback. "Wouldn't this be too much trouble?"

"will not."

Xie Mingyang said, "I'll make the arrangements."

As he spoke, he took out his phone.

I made a phone call.

He walked to the window and whispered a few words to me.

He hung up the phone and came back in less than two minutes.

"nailed it."

Xie Mingyang said to Chen Jin, "It should be installed within half a month."

"So fast?"

Chen Jin was taken aback, "The compensation for the first and second floors..."

"I'll do the work, don't worry."

Xie Mingyang said, "Everything is OK. We will provide compensation in accordance with the highest standards."

"Old Xie, I have to pay for the elevator installation and compensation."

Chen Jin said earnestly.

"Little money."

Xie Mingyang smiled calmly, "A world champion like yourself has been my tour guide for a few days. Consider this a small token of appreciation for your hard work."

Chen Jin: "..."

After hearing their conversation, Chen Jianguo was dumbfounded.

Although he knew that Xie Mingyang had a powerful background, he never expected him to be this wealthy.

Installing an elevator is quite expensive.

But in their eyes, it's just a trivial "small amount of money".

The world of the rich is unimaginable for ordinary people.

Wait until Xie Mingyang leaves.

Chen Jianguo could no longer contain his shock and asked Chen Jin, "Just who is Xiao Xie?"

"friend."

Chen Jin smiled but didn't say anything more.

That day, when the two returned to their residential compound...

However, it was observed that professionals were already surveying the site downstairs in the apartment building.

Their efficiency is astonishing.

"In the next two weeks, the installation of the elevator will definitely generate a lot of noise and dust, which will affect my father-in-law's rest."

Xie Mingyang looked around, his brows furrowing slightly. "Why don't you move into my house for the time being?"

"your home?"

Chen Jin was taken aback again. "You also have a house here?"

"Ah."

Xie Mingyang nodded, his tone still calm, "Didn't we go to Luhu Lake a few days ago? I thought the environment was nice, so I bought a small villa on the spot."

Chen Jin: "..."

After a long pause, he finally managed to stammer out, "You're not going to live here permanently, so why buy a house?"

Xie Mingyang turned his head, looked at the children playing in the community, his gaze distant, and casually replied, "I like it."

Chen Jin: "..."

(End of this chapter)