Whether before his rebirth or now, Xi Ming first stepped onto the ice at the age of four.
Back then, a new ice rink had opened near their home, and his older brother Xi Yu had gone there with some friends on a whim. When he came home, he saw Xi Ming sitting alone on the sofa, a small, pitiful little bundle, and casually scooped him up to bring him along.
Since he was playing with a bunch of older brothers, and Xi Ming was bold and unafraid of falling, his first time on the ice was a wonderful memory.
Then, perhaps it was just the ice rink’s enrollment tactic the coach heaped praise on Xi Ming in front of Xi Yu, calling him a promising talent for figure skating. Xi Yu, still a naive college student at the time, couldn’t resist, and seeing that Xi Ming was still eager to keep playing after getting off the ice, he opened his wallet wide.
And so, Xi Ming happily acquired weekly figure skating lessons.
But maybe Xi Ming truly loved it, because as a kindergarten kid, he actually stuck with it.
Then, when he was eight, at the suggestion and recommendation of the ice rink coach, Xi Ming was brought before Zhao Zhengchang, who had just retired from the national team and was teaching at a club, and became his student.
But unlike now, where he and Zhao Zhengchang were just an ordinary provincial team coach and his skater, Xi Ming’s halo before his rebirth had been far more dazzling.
During his junior years, he swept domestic competitions, and at thirteen, he and Zhao Zhengchang entered the national team together.
Before his skating career ended in an accident at fifteen, he was the most spirited young skater.
However, this Xi Ming, who had sailed through everything smoothly, once faced the only low point of his career at fourteen, during the Junior Grand Prix.
With two qualifying event titles and ranking first in points entering the final, Xi Ming, with a near-flawless performance, lost to the eventual champion.
But that wasn’t Xi Ming’s mistake it was a meticulously calculated defeat.
Slovenia qualifying event, the second day of figure skating competition, right at lunchtime.
Xi Ming, appearing to be in a daze to outsiders, mechanically ate his food while thinking about why he’d been a bit sleepless the night before.
How had he ended up thinking about that matter? Xi Ming felt helpless.
Though he’d eventually let it go and won over those judges who decided results by nationality with his performance, it still wasn’t a pleasant thing, and every time he remembered it, it dampened his mood.
Because he’d tossed and turned last night and hadn’t slept well, Xi Ming ate while zoning out, until a strangely flavored piece of broccoli jolted him awake.
Then, frowning at the green broccoli on his plate, he carefully pushed all of it to the edge.
Xi Ming didn’t consider himself a picky eater, but the lunch provided by the competition organizers was hardly delicious even he had no desire to take another bite of that bizarre broccoli.
“Haha, this broccoli really isn’t good.” A brown-haired American whom Xi Ming had already grown somewhat familiar with sat down on his left. His tone was as casual as if he’d known Xi Ming for ages. “But, it’s still acceptable.”
Then, under Xi Ming’s almost reverent gaze, Chris downed several mouthfuls of the green stuff.
“Don’t mind Blake that guy’s a creature without taste buds.”
Lanzik sat down across from the two of them. Perhaps noticing Xi Ming’s stare at the strange creature, he teased. Then, Lanzik smiled slightly and introduced himself to Xi Ming.
“Hello, I’m Lanzik. Though I know you probably already recognize me.”
It was only at this moment that Xi Ming truly met Adam Lanzik for the first time the person outside of competition.
Sixteen-year-old Adam Lanzik had a head of beautiful red hair, and his green eyes always carried a smile, giving the impression of someone with an easygoing temperament, approachable and friendly.
Yet it was this same Lanzik who, at last year’s Grand Prix, transformed into a passionate, flamboyant boy in red in his free skate program “Carmen,” like a fiery, thorny red rose. Then, from a third-place ranking in the short program, he surged ahead to take the title.
So, if anyone mistook the Lanzik before them for a harmless competitor, they’d be sorely mistaken.
“I’m Chris Blake, though I already introduced myself yesterday.” Chris followed Lanzik’s introduction, showing no trace of the embarrassment from mistaking someone the day before.
He reached out, grabbed Xi Ming’s hand, and shook it vigorously, which inexplicably reminded Xi Ming of the big golden retriever that had bounded over enthusiastically when he’d seen it on the street. His palm was warm, just like the feeling Chris gave off.
Xi Ming noticed that Lanzik probably felt the same way, as he gave a barely perceptible smile.
He seemed to be on good terms with Chris. Xi Ming had seen them standing together talking more than once yesterday. Xi Ming figured that Lanzik showing up with Chris today was probably because of Chris’s mistaken identity from yesterday, so he was there to help ease Chris’s embarrassment.
Of course, curiosity about the second-place finisher in yesterday’s short program probably played a part too.
Yes, second place.
After all the men’s short programs concluded yesterday, Lanzik took first place with an impressive 73.59, while Chris, who made several mistakes, ended up third with 67.88.
The three people now sitting at this table were exactly the top three from this Grand Prix event’s short programs.
So it was only natural that people passing by cast curious glances their way.
“I’m still not familiar with my new season’s short program, and sure enough, I didn’t perform well.”
Since the men’s free skate was scheduled for the third day, Xi Ming and the others were just spectators today. Of course, if they didn’t want to watch, they were free to do other things, like find a place to train.
So the three of them came to the competition venue together and somehow ended up chatting. At some point, the conversation drifted to yesterday’s competition. Thinking about his performance, Chris ran his hand through his hair in frustration.
“I always need time to adjust at the start of each season.”
Xi Ming thought about what he knew of Chris it did seem to be true. Moreover, from yesterday’s performance, it was clear the new short program wasn’t Chris’s most comfortable style; his movements carried a hint of unfamiliarity.
That was also why his PCS score hadn’t been great yesterday.
“It’s all in your head,” Lanzik said, his tone gentle but his critique anything but. “Your technique hasn’t declined, but your discomfort with the new program affected your performance even your jumps failed.”
Chris slapped a hand over his face. “Come on, Adam, you’re right, but I really don’t want to admit it.”
“I envy you and Xi Ming for being in top form from the start of the season.” Chris admitted he really needed to recharge through competition, or he couldn’t get hyped up.
Xi Ming caught something in Chris’s words and glanced between the two of them.
Lanzik nodded in direct acknowledgment. “That’s right, we’ve both watched your previous competitions.”
Xi Ming’s first thought was of his past self last year’s programs where his jumps had collapsed due to growth spurts and mental issues but the next second, Lanzik’s words shifted his attention. “I watched your performance at the JGP selection. If you can bring that same form tomorrow, I’ll really need to step up my game.”
“Though, after watching your short program, I already knew I’d have to work hard.”
“Exactly, exactly.” Chris nodded vigorously, agreeing with Lanzik. He flashed a big grin and gave Xi Ming’s shoulder a hearty squeeze. “I can’t wait to see your free skate tomorrow. I’m already curious about your costume.”
After the short program ended, when Chris had watched the recent competition videos of Xi Ming that the coach had found, besides sighing that there was one more rival to contend with, he’d grown curious.
Curious about what Xi Ming would look like performing his free skate in his costume, because it was really beautiful.
As for Xi Ming right now, he was starting to wonder if these two were trying to lull him into complacency before the competition. After all, being surrounded by two junior champions praising him saying they saw him as a rival while also loving his performance it was hard not to get a little dizzy.
Sure enough, they were from a country known for sweet talk.
“What’s up? You seem to be in a good mood?”
After the second day’s competition ended, walking back on the road, Zhao Zhengchang glanced at Xi Ming with curiosity.
Because the coach of the pairs team traveling with them was suffering from acclimatization issues and hadn’t recovered today, Zhao Zhengchang had to temporarily help look after the pairs skaters. Only after Xi Ming’s repeated assurances did Zhao Zhengchang reluctantly let him go off on his own.
Originally, Zhao Zhengchang had planned to keep Xi Ming by his side all day, like a mother hen with her chick.
So, of course, Zhao Zhengchang had no idea that his student had already connected with the two most famous skaters at this Grand Prix event, become part of a high-profile trio, and exchanged compliments with them.
And when he asked, he got a version with a billion details omitted.
In Xi Ming’s description, Lanzik was gentle and easygoing, Chris was generous and sunny, and they’d had a harmonious and friendly exchange. Of course, their sweet talk toward Xi Ming didn’t exist, and they’d agreed to give their all in tomorrow’s free skate.
“Looks like you two get along pretty well. Making two more friends is a good thing.” The naive Coach Zhao said cheerfully. “And you compete well tomorrow with your free skate as a foundation, you should be able to score decently.”
Zhao Zhengchang certainly wasn’t expecting Xi Ming to defeat the champions of both junior groups; he simply hoped that Xi Ming would have a good start to the season. Yesterday’s short program had already been half the battle won.
“I will.”
Before Xi Ming returned to his own room, he assured his coach, flashing a mischievous smile. “Besides, you know me I’m not completely immune to nerves like Song Yili, but the tension of competition gets me excited. I just need to keep it in check.”
“That’s true.” Zhao Zhengchang smiled as well.
In daily training, Xi Ming was like a perfectly steady machine. Some had even quietly remarked to Zhao Zhengchang that Xi Ming seemed to lack any competitive drive completely zen about skating.
But no explanation from Zhao Zhengchang was needed; anyone who had watched Xi Ming compete understood on their own.
Standing at the center of the rink, Xi Ming seemed to unlock what he kept sealed away in practice. The passion blazing in his eyes was enough to ignite the ice, and that fire kindled for competition poured out through every movement, drawing the gaze of all who watched.
That was also why Xi Ming’s performances never failed to captivate audiences. Of course, the judges were among those he conquered as well.
Zhao Zhengchang knew that Xi Ming always set his expectations for his own scores far lower than warranted, and he simply assumed it was Xi Ming’s subconscious way of lowering expectations to keep his mindset steady.
But Zhao Zhengchang knew that tomorrow, with the Rose Spirit, everyone would be mesmerized by Xi Ming.
Today was another day Zhao Zhengchang felt full of confidence in Xi Ming. Back in his room, after washing up and lying in bed, Xi Ming didn’t fall asleep right away. Instead, he looked at a piece of news on his phone.
For the present day, it was news from long ago, but it was also an event that continued to shape figure skating as it existed now.
A piece of news about the entire figure skating world finally resolving to rid itself of its old ailments and return fairness to all athletes. In the period that followed, after much contention, justice ultimately prevailed.
Just then, a message popped up on his phone Chris sending his goodnight wishes, in his usual overly familiar style. The brown-haired boy’s smile was practically right before Xi Ming’s eyes.
Xi Ming curved the corners of his mouth.
He was starting to look forward to tomorrow’s free skate. After all, with an environment now judging purely on the sport itself, and with these rather endearing competitors, he couldn’t wait to take to the ice and compete with them.