Chasing the Wind Recap, Plot, Synopsis

> Chasing the Wind

Chasing the Wind Synopsis

Due to a childhood competition, Lin Ge, a young girl, was introduced by Nie Chi, a young boy, to a sports academy, where she began her career in short-track speed skating. Lin Ge is optimistic, bold, and meticulous, while Nie Chi is composed, sharp, and full of ambition. Under the care of their fatherly coach, Fang Shizhong, at the sports academy, the two grow alongside Fang's son, Fang Chao, and eventually make it to the provincial team.

Lin Ge struggles with the challenges of coming from a family that values boys over girls, irregular training, and a weak foundation. On the other hand, Nie Chi, with his straightforward and aloof personality, finds it difficult to adapt to team tactics training. Despite the setbacks they face during training, the three support one another, and Nie Chi gradually develops a different kind of feeling for Lin Ge.

When Beijing successfully wins the bid to host the Winter Olympics, Lin Ge and Nie Chi, guided by the experienced provincial team coach Han Bing, quickly grow from naïve sports academy students to members of the national training team. Along the way, they meet, compete with, and bid farewell to various teammates and opponents, while overcoming injuries and the confusion brought by fame. Ultimately, they step onto the international stage together, defending their country's honor with the passion and spirit of their youth.

 

 

Chasing the Wind Recap

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Episode 1 Recap

Lin Ge, a short track speed skater with promising results, suffered a sudden fall mid-competition. From this unexpected perspective, she reflected on her journey. Growing up, she saw the sport primarily as a means to earn prize money and salary, a path she took out of necessity as her only option for survival. Despite this initial motivation, she found herself deeply loving the sport. She recalled a challenging encounter on the ice.

Having sneaked into the sports school rink, she competed with a boy and won. He remarked on her outdated skates, not designed for speed skating. He was Nie Chi. She had fallen during that time, which caused an injury to her face, and her hair was also damaged in a fall.

Later, he asked her why she wasn't home so late, hinting at family concerns, but for Lin Ge, home was a painful memory; she had lost her mother and her relatives treated her like a burden, believing she had hidden money her mother left behind. They made it clear she wasn't welcome. Nie Chi recognized Lin Ge's potential and fighting spirit. He pleaded with his Master to take her in at the sports school.

Initially skeptical, the Master used a metaphor of a single flower in a vast grassland to describe true talent, calling everyone else "soil blocks." Nie Chi argued that Lin Ge was like a "fish slipped through the net," a rare talent overlooked. Convinced by Nie Chi's persistence and seeing Lin Ge's endurance on the ice, the Master agreed to train her. Lin Ge was overjoyed.

Nie Chi had his teammate, Fang Chao, deliver a pair of proper skates to Lin Ge. Shortly after Lin Ge joined, Nie Chi had to move to Beijing. His father insisted he go, leaving Lin Ge feeling lost. She settled into life at the sports school, practicing diligently under her new Master's guidance. The Master and his wife, Mrs. Fang, were incredibly kind to her.

One night, while Lin Ge was crying quietly, thinking of her mother, Mrs. Fang saw her. The Master explained to Mrs. Fang that Lin Ge's mother had passed away, her father was a gambler deep in debt who had disappeared, and her relatives treated her like a burden, leaving her nowhere to go during holidays. Mrs. Fang took Lin Ge under her wing, treating her like her own child and calling her their "number one baby."

She gave Lin Ge a red envelope for the Spring Festival and shared warmth and food, creating a sense of home for her. Lin Ge continued to train hard, constantly improving. Fang Chao and Lin Ge's bond grew as they spent time together. For Mrs. Fang's birthday, the Master planned a surprise. Fang Chao, Lin Ge, and the Master embarked on an elaborate adventure to a hot spring using coupons, followed by an all-you-can-eat buffet.

They strategized to maximize their consumption, even bringing digestive tablets and hawthorn pills, much to Fang Chao's amusement and slight disgust. They presented Mrs. Fang with a small birthday cake, which she deeply appreciated. Fang Chao also brought Lin Ge a lunchbox filled with food his mother had prepared, emphasizing it was full of her love.

During their conversation, Fang Chao mentioned his father went to the airport to pick someone up and speculated it might be scouts from the provincial team. He also recalled the difficulty Nie Chi faced convincing Lin Ge's superstitious grandmother to allow her to train in short track speed skating, as she believed Lin Ge brought bad luck to her cousin Lin Feng. One day on the rink, Lin Ge saw someone skating incredibly fast.

Driven by her competitive spirit, she chased after him. It turned out to be Nie Chi, back from Beijing. Lin Ge was ecstatic to see him, noting how much he had grown. Nie Chi explained he was back permanently to train at the sports school and aim for the provincial team. Lin Ge thanked him for recommending her to the school years ago and promised to have his back now that she was doing well.

Just then, Fang Chao appeared, startling them. Their playful reunion was interrupted by Mr. Ou, the security guard, but Fang Chao managed to smooth things over. Fang Chao revealed to Lin Ge that Nie Chi was staying in the warehouse because his family was struggling financially and he chose not to stay in the crowded dormitory. Lin Ge was upset by this and immediately went to the warehouse with cleaning supplies.

She insisted on helping Nie Chi clean the dusty, equipment-filled room, stating they needed to make it habitable. Nie Chi felt it didn't need much effort as he was only there temporarily, but Lin Ge felt it was important to improve his living conditions. As they cleaned, Lin Ge questioned him spending money on small items if he was short on funds, but Nie Chi believed in making his current life better and saving little by little for the future.

He also gave Lin Ge a small flower he had been growing, telling her it was a resilient type that thrived with little care. Later, the Master gathered them to announce the registration for a training camp, which would serve as a selection event for the provincial team. The registration fee was two thousand yuan, and the announcement would be made the next day.

The Master encouraged them to see it as a direct competition against provincial-level skaters and demanded they train with all their might. Fang Chao visibly flinched at the fee, suggesting he could save the money for his family, expressing doubt about competing against the provincial team. Nie Chi confirmed he would participate.

The Master handed out registration forms, telling Lin Ge to take hers and consider it carefully, as the Jiangnan team had also begun their recruitment process and would send a reply in about half a month. During dinner, Lin Ge announced her decision to go to the Jiangnan team. She explained that she had stayed in Jiangnan before and wished to return. Mrs. Fang was surprised by her choice to go so far, but Lin Ge assured them she would visit during holidays.

Episode 2 Recap

Lin Ge, Nie Chi, and Fang Chao carefully calculated their purchases during a shopping trip, with Lin Ge meticulously using a calculator to stay within budget. Fang Chao suggested they set aside some money to buy Lin Ge a new outfit as a keepsake since she was considering leaving for the Jiangnan Team, so they would have a memento of their time together. Nie Chi subtly prompted Fang Chao to leave, wanting to speak to Lin Ge privately.

He asked her why she was being so frugal. Lin Ge dismissed his concern, finding him a bit childish, especially after he had just bumped into her, reminding him he was the one who initiated their first encounter and the recent bump. Meanwhile, Lin Ge's master and Mrs. Fang discussed their worries about her decision. Mrs. Fang was concerned about Lin Ge going so far away to Jiangnan.

Her master acknowledged that there was only hope for her to join their provincial team, and the Jiangnan Team, needing good talent, had made a very attractive offer with high stipends and foreign coaches, which he admitted he would also find tempting. He agreed it seemed like a good choice for Lin Ge and stressed that they should respect her personal decision on how to navigate her life's path.

Nie Chi pressed Lin Ge about her choice, questioning why she would go to the Jiangnan Team when their province had the best short track speed skating. Lin Ge explained the higher salary offered by Jiangnan was the reason, stating she relied on competition earnings for survival and couldn't refuse their conditions. She admitted she hadn't thought about a long-term career and initially joined the sports school simply for prize money.

She doubted her ability to make the provincial team and preferred to seize a definite opportunity now, needing to focus on survival before thinking about a career. Nie Chi reminded her of her competitive spirit, recalling how she, wearing figure skates, had not only caught up to but surpassed him in the past, even hitting the finish line with her body just to win.

He argued that someone so competitive who wanted to skate faster should fight for a spot on the provincial team, which could open doors to the national team and much higher potential earnings. Lin Ge conceded she liked skating, but reiterated that liking wasn't enough for life. Lin Ge discovered Nie Chi had paid the 2,000 yuan fee for the provincial team's training camp for her. Upset, she wrote an IOU and presented it to him.

When he tore it up, she angrily demanded he paste it back together, insisting she would pay him back once she earned her allowance from Jiangnan. Lin Feng then arrived, seemingly looking for trouble with Lin Ge, but backed down when Nie Chi and Fang Chao stood by her side. Upon arriving at the training camp, Nie Chi saw Coach Han Bing and spontaneously told her that Lin Ge wished to challenge Zhu Zhu, a top skater on the team.

Though initially annoyed with Nie Chi, Lin Ge agreed to participate. Coach Han announced the 500m test was not for ranking, but for evaluating speed; skaters needed to finish under 48 seconds to be considered. Zhu Zhu completed the race in 46. 67 seconds, while Lin Ge finished second with a time of 47. 97 seconds, narrowly meeting the requirement. Instead of praise, Coach Han called Lin Ge over.

She sternly asked why Lin Ge was celebrating when she was so far behind Zhu Zhu's time and hadn't even met the team's average of 47 seconds. She criticized Lin Ge's fundamental techniques, including her center of gravity and squatting angle, as well as her general fitness and endurance. Coach Han told her that while she might stand out in a team in the south like Jiangnan, she was "nothing" at their provincial team.

She stated she would only accept Lin Ge if her performance improved and insisted she would have to start training from scratch. Coach Han revealed she knew about the Jiangnan offer and suggested that team might be more suitable, a comment that visibly hurt Lin Ge. Affected by Coach Han's harsh assessment and realizing her current limitations, Lin Ge decided against joining the Jiangnan Team.

She informed Coach Han that she had declined the offer and had no other option now. She expressed a willingness to return to her former school and train for another year to reapply if necessary. Coach Han agreed to give her three months to prove herself in an assessment, and Lin Ge accepted the challenge, determined to meet the standard.

Later, Lin Ge, Nie Chi, Fang Chao, the master, and Mrs. Fang gathered for a celebratory meal regarding Lin Ge's decision to stay. Mrs. Fang was especially happy, recalling her long-held wish for a daughter. They found a coin hidden in a dumpling, which they considered a good omen. Mrs. Fang commented that her husband (the master) would regret something he had done. Lin Ge and Nie Chi stepped out for some air.

Later that night, Fang Chao's father woke Nie Chi, appearing concerned and suggesting Nie Chi would have regrets someday. Lin Ge moved into the provincial team dorms, feeling hopeful about the training environment. At the dorm entrance, she encountered Lin Feng's grandma, who had brought homemade food, though the new skaters were cautious about doping regulations. Nie Chi also emerged, noticing Lin Ge seemed distressed.

Lin Ge told Nie Chi she didn't want to see either of them at that moment. During the first day of official training, Coach Han introduced herself and assistant coach Ding Yi, and immediately started a physical fitness test for all members. However, she singled out Lin Ge, instructing her to skip the test and focus solely on basic training.

Lin Ge was confused and anxious, feeling ashamed about not being included in the assessment and having no recent performance data to show her progress or lack thereof. Lin Ge confessed her anxiety to Nie Chi, feeling embarrassed about her lack of results and exclusion from the assessment. Nie Chi took her outside to plant a viola bulb. He tried to reassure her, telling her that Coach Han was paying close attention to her training.

He revealed he had seen Coach Han's notebook, where she was meticulously tracking Lin Ge's training sessions and analyzing her performance. He believed Coach Han's methods, including not allowing her to test and showing her the notes, were intended to help her overcome anxiety about results and improve. He advised Lin Ge that the only way forward was to completely trust the coach and follow her instructions. Lin Ge agreed to try.

That evening, Coach Han spoke with the master, assessing the new recruits. She praised Fang Chao's strength and endurance, noting he was a good prospect for longer distances like the 1500m. She also commended Nie Chi's explosive power and fast starts for short distances, remarking on his excellent feel for the ice. However, she observed that Nie Chi seemed timid during races, hesitant to overtake when opportunities arose, and planned to monitor this. She then asked the master about Lin Ge's overall situation.

Episode 3 Recap

Ms. Han spoke with another coach about Lin Ge, describing her as a talented prospect but concerned that her training lacked a solid foundation, likening it to forcing a seedling to grow too fast. She noted that while Lin Ge skated quickly, her basics were a "complete mess." The other coach mentioned Lin Ge had personal difficulties and wasn't initially aiming for high ambitions, adding that Ms. Han's approach had made Lin Ge more strong-minded and difficult to manage.

Ms. Han asked the other coach to help discipline Lin Ge. After a particularly intense training session, Lin Ge, Nie Chi, and Fang Chao felt exhausted. Lin Ge commented on how tired they were, especially because they had to adjust their squatting angles, a change she felt responsible for. She noted that Fang Chao, who did the same drills, was also tired, but wondered why Nie Chi seemed unaffected.

Nie Chi told Fang Chao that the coach had been observing his endurance for longer distances, suggesting he might be suited for the 1500m event. Despite Fang Chao's worries about staying on the team, Nie Chi reassured him that the 1500m was a good fit for him and they shouldn't compare. They agreed to finish the conversation back at the dormitory.

Back at the dormitory building, Lin Ge expressed extreme exhaustion, unable to climb to her upper bunk, and asked a teammate, Zhou Yao, if she could rest on her lower bed. Zhou Yao teased her, assuming she was going out to meet a boyfriend, which flustered Lin Ge. Lin Ge leaned heavily on Nie Chi. Noticing his face was red, she asked why. He deflected, saying it was from the effort of supporting her.

He then asked if she was going into her room. In the dining hall, Lin Ge envied those eating Type I meals. Fang Chao was particularly focused on getting chicken legs, admitting he'd been food-obsessed since he was a child and feeling the provincial team's food wasn't as good as their old sports school. He worried about how long it would take to solidify his training foundation.

They discussed the possibility of reaching the national top eight to qualify for better meals, with Fang Chao feeling he was currently at the bottom. Fang Chao approached Liu Yang for chicken legs, but was told to ask Huang Han. Fang Chao then buttered up Huang Han, who explained that Type I meals were reserved for those in the national top eight, implying Fang Chao needed to improve his performance.

Huang Han relented and gave Fang Chao two chicken legs, which Fang Chao thanked him and Zhu Zhu for. Fang Chao later bragged about his perceived popularity in the Type I dining area, dramatically calling himself titles like a "prince in the ice rink." Lin Ge, however, expressed a desire to truly earn the right to dine with top athletes like Zhu Zhu based on her own ability, not by asking for leftovers.

Lin Ge asked her teammate Zhou Yao why she relied on the relay event to reach the national top eight when she also competed in individual events and had good endurance. Zhou Yao explained that her explosive power was weak, making securing a top-eight position in individual races uncertain. The relay allowed her to rely on stronger teammates to safely reach the finals and thus qualify for the Type I meals, without having to "waste effort" improving her weakness.

Zhou Yao described her role as a "rabbit," serving as support or back-up, and stated she was satisfied with securing a position in the provincial team, earning rankings, and ensuring a path to university after retirement. Lin Ge initially agreed with this mindset but declared that she was no longer content with just a secure position; she aspired to become a top athlete like Zhu Zhu. Later, Huang Han gathered his teammates to confess his feelings to Zhu Zhu.

He stated he had waited five years and felt validated by winning the national championship that day. He gave her a pair of limited edition sneakers and openly confessed he liked her and wanted her to be his girlfriend, kneeling down as he did so. Zhu Zhu appeared uncomfortable and asked him to get up and take the expensive shoes back, noting his family's financial situation.

When he refused to take the gift back, she urged him and his friends to leave, suggesting she would pretend it hadn't happened since the coach wasn't aware. Huang Han persisted, mistakenly believing she was only hesitating due to fear of the coach. Zhu Zhu then firmly and clearly rejected him, declaring, "Huang Han, I don't like you. I won't accept your gift. I won't agree to you either. Can you understand?"

Meanwhile, Lin Ge, Nie Chi, and Fang Chao were eavesdropping near the dorm, discussing Zhu Zhu's reaction. Lin Ge felt it was clear Zhu Zhu wasn't interested in a relationship, while Fang Chao wasn't convinced. Seeing Zhu Zhu cornered by Huang Han and his friends, Nie Chi stepped out to intervene. He approached the group, saying he needed to speak with Zhu Zhu.

When Huang Han dismissively told him to get lost, Nie Chi directly stated that Zhu Zhu had just said she didn't like him. This escalated the tension, and Huang Han's friends confronted Nie Chi, suggesting a fight. Nie Chi warned them against causing a scene that would reach the coach. He then escorted Zhu Zhu away while Huang Han's friends grumbled about future retaliation.

Afterwards, Zhu Zhu thanked Nie Chi for intervening, noting that Huang Han was the boys' captain and might seek trouble. Nie Chi said it was fine, explaining that he, Lin Ge, and Fang Chao had all wanted to help, but he was the quickest to act. Zhu Zhu offered her help if Huang Han retaliated. Nie Chi politely declined, mentioning that Lin Ge admired Zhu Zhu greatly and saw her as an idol and goal.

Zhu Zhu acknowledged that she often saw Nie Chi, Lin Ge, and Fang Chao together and knew they were close friends from the same sports school. As thanks for his help, she promised to "treat Lin Ge better in the future." Back in her room, Zhu Zhu was immediately questioned by Zhou Yao, who had heard about the confession from the boys and was eager for details, although Zhu Zhu was hesitant to share.

Meanwhile, Fang Chao expressed his worry to Nie Chi about him having potentially made a difficult enemy in Huang Han. As Fang Chao predicted, Huang Han soon sought out Nie Chi. Under the pretense of helping them relax, Huang Han gathered Nie Chi, Fang Chao, Lin Ge, and some of his own teammates and led them to a sauna room.

Referring to Nie Chi and his friends dismissively, Huang Han initiated a challenge to see who could endure the heat the longest. As the temperature rose, Lin Ge complained about the heat. While Huang Han and his group struggled, Nie Chi remained composed. Eventually, Huang Han collapsed from the heat and demanded water, alarming his friends. Nie Chi calmly instructed everyone to give Huang Han space for air, assuring them he wasn't in mortal danger.

He then declared Huang Han's group had lost the challenge and ordered them to run laps on the playground as a penalty. Following the sauna ordeal, Fang Chao was astonished that Nie Chi had outlasted Huang Han and six others by himself. Nie Chi explained his simple strategy of hydrating beforehand and letting Huang Han's group's closeness exacerbate the heat. Fang Chao called him cunning, acknowledging that the incident had solidified a conflict with Huang Han.

Later, Lin Ge was visibly stressed, pushing herself intensely in training due to worries about her slow progress and the risk of being sent back. She ended up straining her leg. Fang Chao tried to reason with her, comparing her years of training to Zhu Zhu's, but this upset Lin Ge further, making her feel inadequate. Fang Chao quickly apologized, and they reconciled, though Fang Chao playfully accused them of ganging up on him.

Nie Chi found Lin Ge good-natured, prompting her to tease him by suggesting he should just say she was good-looking, which he agreed to, giving her goosebumps. Fang Chao remarked on their easy banter, teasing them about their closeness. After straining her leg, Lin Ge realized she was out of kinesiology tapes, having given the last ones to Zhu Zhu who had trained late the previous night.

Nie Chi offered her some of his, promising to get more if she ran out. When Nie Chi brought the supplies, Zhou Yao intercepted him, taking the tapes he brought for Lin Ge and assuming they were for general use among the roommates, thanking Nie Chi for them. The assessment results were posted, and Lin Ge, feeling anxious, checked the list with Fang Chao and Nie Chi. She found her name listed, indicating she had passed.

All three were relieved and excited. Ms. Han congratulated Lin Ge on her significant recent progress, noting her strong performance in the test placed her in the top tier and she had even skated faster than Zhou Yao that day. She confirmed Lin Ge would officially remain with the provincial team and move to regular training and assessments. Overjoyed, Lin Ge asked if she could hug Ms. Han, who agreed.

Ms. Han then addressed Nie Chi, whose consistent good results meant he would continue training in the 500m event. She informed Fang Chao that his excellent endurance meant his main event would be switched to the 1500m. The three thanked Ms. Han for the news. To celebrate, Nie Chi suggested they go out the next day, which was their day off. Lin Ge and Fang Chao eagerly agreed, letting Nie Chi make the plans.

As they left the dormitory, Lin Ge carried a potted plant. Her older brother, Lin Feng, saw her, glanced at an identical plant on a windowsill nearby, and returned to looking at his phone without saying anything to her. Later, Lin Ge called Nie Chi aside privately. She gave him 1200 yuan, a partial repayment of the 2000 yuan sports school registration fee she had borrowed from him.

She explained she had received her allowance and felt she needed to pay him back quickly to stay motivated. She offered to pay the remaining balance at 50 yuan a month. Nie Chi told her there was no rush and she could pay him back slowly, but she insisted. He finally agreed to a plan where she would save the full 2000 yuan first, show him the balance, and then start paying him back at 50 yuan a month. Lin Ge calculated that at that rate, it would take her about two years to repay a significant portion. Feeling a sense of relief, she thanked him and left.

Episode 4 Recap

Lin Feng secretly hid the flowers Lin Ge had given to her roommates. When Nie Chi returned and couldn't find them, he confronted Lin Feng, leading to an argument that Fang Chao had to break up to prevent a fight. Later, Nie Chi confided in Fang Chao, expressing his frustration and noting how different Lin Feng seemed from his sister, suggesting he had been spoiled.

Fang Chao advised Nie Chi not to burden Lin Ge with the incident, as she already had many things to worry about. Zhou Yao gave Lin Ge the official championship notice and advised her that once the season began, she should avoid Zhu and maintain a low profile in the dorm.

Later, Coach Han announced the start of competition preparation and listed the new members selected for relay training, which included Tian Yu but not Lin Ge, although Coach Han acknowledged Lin Ge's good basic training progress and told her to continue working. Lin Ge approached Coach Han to inquire why she wasn't selected for the relay despite better assessment results than Tian Yu.

Coach Han explained that Tian Yu's speed issues stemmed from core strength, which was fixable, whereas Lin Ge had developed fundamental movement habits that needed correction to improve her speed potential. Coach Han stressed the importance of addressing these basics before competition. During the tactical simulation, Huang Han volunteered to train with the new members, specifically mentioning Nie Chi.

Later, on the ice, Huang Han urged Nie Chi to compete in the 500m race, reminding him of the severe penalty for last place. During the race, Nie Chi was tripped. He immediately confronted Huang Han, accusing him of foul play. Huang Han denied the accusation, and their dispute quickly escalated into a physical fight involving others. Coach Han intervened, stopping the fight and fining everyone involved.

She imposed a heavier fine on Huang Han, Nie Chi, and Fang Chao, scolding Huang Han, the team leader, for his role in the conflict. Huang Han appealed to her, citing his family's financial situation and asking for another chance without the fine. Coach Han agreed to reconsider the fine if Huang Han and Nie Chi could demonstrate effective cooperation within half a month, adding extra push-ups as a condition.

Huang Han accepted Coach Han's terms, promising to cooperate with Nie Chi and complete the additional push-ups. Later, Lin Ge spoke with Nie Chi, having heard about his conflict with Huang Han. Concerned, she urged him to reconcile, emphasizing that they were both newcomers and shouldn't jeopardize their positions. She even offered to talk to Huang Han on his behalf.

Nie Chi explained that he preferred to handle things his own way, admitting he wasn't skilled at social interactions and disliked forced relationships, partly due to his upbringing. He found an athlete's life appealing for its simplicity. He felt resolving the issue with Huang Han wasn't essential right now and admitted a part of him was avoiding it, arguing that pretending to be friends with someone he disliked would be more difficult.

Lin Ge understood but hinted she might still intervene. Lin Ge enlisted Zhou Yao's help to inquire about Huang Han's plans for his day off, stating her intention to build a bridge of friendship between him and Nie Chi. She later encountered Huang Han at a flower market, frustrated by the high cost of a bouquet for his sister's birthday. Lin Ge intervened, helping him create a bouquet for significantly less.

While they worked, Huang Han shared that he was diligently saving for his sister's university tuition, which moved Lin Ge. Seizing the opportunity, Lin Ge proposed a way to improve his relationship with Nie Chi, setting a condition: Huang Han must admit he intentionally caused Nie Chi's fall and offer a sincere apology. Huang Han initially resisted, but Lin Ge persuaded him, and he agreed, seeing it as a minor matter. They sealed the agreement with a pinky promise.

Lin Ge then announced her plans to organize an outing for Nie Chi and Fang Chao, including Huang Han, despite Nie Chi's initial hesitation. She also discovered that Nie Chi believed he sang off-key; Lin Ge suggested he sing during the outing to reveal a relatable flaw. Lin Ge also invited Zhu, framing the outing as an effort to help Nie Chi and Huang Han reconcile. Zhu agreed but stated she would bring someone along.

Before the outing, Lin Ge applied a face mask, expressing impatience with the time it took to get ready. When she appeared dressed for the event, Fang Chao immediately teased her unique outfit and commented on her low emotional intelligence. Lin Ge defended her style as "vintage fashion." Nie Chi, Fang Chao, Zhu, and Zhu's boyfriend, Fan Hong (introduced as a former team member), were assembled.

Lin Ge introduced herself to Fan Hong and awkwardly referred to him as "Yao's boyfriend," prompting Fang Chao to again highlight Lin Ge's social awkwardness, declaring his presence was to help her. They waited for Huang Han, who eventually arrived late with remarkably messy hair, described by Fang Chao as resembling a feather duster. The group found his appearance rather over-the-top. The group went to a crowded park.

Deciding to ride bikes, they paired up, with Lin Ge suggesting she ride with Zhu and that Huang Han ride with Nie Chi. Fang Chao was left to ride alone, prompting him to decide to run instead. During the bike race, Fang Chao was quickly left behind. Later, Huang Han and Nie Chi appeared to be getting along well as they grilled food together.

Fang Chao observed Nie Chi looking at Lin Ge and commented that feelings for someone are hard to conceal. He then playfully challenged Zhu about why she didn't look at him more often, and Zhu retorted that Fang Chao lacked insight if he noticed Nie Chi looking at Lin Ge but missed the fact that she was looking at Nie Chi. They exchanged playful remarks.

While grilling, Huang Han gave Zhu some meat, claiming it was initially for Lin Ge but insisting Zhu try it first since Nie Chi had just finished cooking it. Zhu sampled it but found it too salty. Nie Chi also shared some grilled meat, giving some intended for Fang Chao to Lin Ge. Fang Chao later received his preferred grilled chicken wings from Nie Chi and expressed his gratitude.

During the outing, the group played a game of rock, paper, scissors. When Nie Chi lost, he was dared to sing a song. Despite his initial hesitation, encouraged by the others, he sang a song titled "Stars twinkle in the night sky." His performance earned praise, with the group calling him their idol. Following the game, Huang Han addressed Nie Chi in front of everyone and offered a sincere apology for deliberately tripping him.

Nie Chi accepted the apology, admitting his own fault as well, and mentioned the coach's expectation for them to cooperate. Huang Han referred to Nie Chi as a bit of a "nerd" but assured him he would watch out for him, which Nie Chi appreciated. Their reconciliation seemed to lift everyone's spirits. Later, Nie Chi asked Lin Ge if he looked good, and her affirmative response made him happy.

Upon returning to the training base, Coach Han was re-evaluating the women's team lineup. During a training session where Lin Ge was doing traction exercises, Coach Han directed Lin Feng to assist her and assigned them both to basic training together, giving Lin Feng a significantly higher training load.

Lin Feng argued that his fundamental skills were already strong, but Coach Han pointed out that while that was true when he arrived, he had fallen behind while other team members had progressed. She challenged his current ability in specific skating techniques, indicating his performance had declined. Coach Han sternly told him he could leave if he wasn't committed to training.

She then dismissed the rest of the women's team to continue their exercises and the men's team to head to the ice, leaving Lin Ge standing there after being paired with her brother for training.

Episode 5 Recap

During training, Lin Feng makes it clear to Lin Ge that their grandmother wants him to stay away from her, accusing her of trying to steal everything from him and claiming their grandmother said she can never return home. Lin Ge, frustrated by his hurtful words and attitude, causes him to fall. Lin Feng immediately cries out to Coach Huang, claiming Lin Ge deliberately tripped him and is violating team rules, exaggerating his injury to get out of training.

Coach Huang refuses to mediate their conflict, scolding them both and stating that they should train or leave. Lin Feng then agrees to train. Later, Lin Feng offers sausages from his grandmother to his teammates. They decline, reminding him the competition is approaching and eating them could cause trouble. Lin Feng insists they are delicious, ignoring warnings about preservatives. The next day, a medical report shows Lin Feng tested positive for clenbuterol. Ms. Han confronts him, asking what he ate.

Lin Feng explains he ate sausages his grandmother made, who told him the meat was fine. Ms. Han criticizes his lack of common sense as an athlete, reminding him of the strict diet during competition. She expresses frustration, stating she gave him many chances despite his poor performance and highlights that his actions have left the men's relay team without substitutes for the upcoming competition.

Ms. Han tells him he's old enough to stop talking about his grandmother all the time. Lin Feng's grandmother arrives and immediately confronts Lin Ge in front of Ms. Han, accusing her of manipulating the male teammates, bullying Lin Feng, and tampering with his food to cause him to fail the test. Lin Ge denies the accusations, asserting that Lin Feng is responsible for his own mistakes.

The grandmother attempts to convince Ms. Han that Lin Ge admitted guilt, which Lin Ge refutes. The grandmother pleads with Ms. Han to let Lin Feng stay, offering to take Lin Ge away instead. Ms. Han firmly refuses, explaining that the provincial team is not hers to manage and stating Lin Feng's expulsion is due to his consistent slacking and skipping training, in addition to the positive test.

The grandmother continues to argue, accusing Ms. Han of bias towards Lin Ge and insisting that if Lin Feng is removed, Lin Ge must leave too, demanding financial compensation for their loss, as they will lose the allowance. Lin Ge interrupts the argument, offering to give the grandmother half of her monthly allowance until her retirement to support Lin Feng, urging them to leave. The grandmother seems more focused on securing the financial promise, demanding they pack their things.

She insists that Lin Feng is not leaving willingly but is being forced, making Ms. Han witness the promise. Lin Ge then states definitively, "From now on, we're not family anymore." The grandmother tells her to remember her words. Lin Ge apologizes to Ms. Han for the trouble. After they leave, Ms. Han looks at Lin Ge with understanding. Nie Chi joins Lin Ge outside, and they take a walk.

Lin Ge shares her past, revealing her mother was her only family but passed away years ago. She recounts how her grandmother tried to sell her as a child when Lin Feng was sick, but her mother stopped it, although her mother could only manage to take Lin Ge with her, leaving Lin Feng behind as the grandmother refused to let him go. She mentions her father was indifferent to both of them.

Lin Ge reflects on the possibility of things being different if her mother had taken Lin Feng too but concludes that life has no such turns, and since that day, her ties with them were severed. She cherishes the happy years spent with her mother in Jiangnan before her mother's death led to her being sent back.

Lin Ge tells Nie Chi how grateful she is to have met him, believing it prevented her from a potentially difficult life if she had run away. Nie Chi responds that he feels they are even, as his desire to compete with her fueled his perseverance in skating, leading them to meet again and influencing each other's paths.

Lin Ge feels a sense of freedom from her past family and expresses her ambition to compete, achieve results, and join the national team quickly. Nie Chi promises to join her in this goal. Lin Ge holds onto her mother's words to always move forward and not dwell on painful memories, focusing on their shared promise for a brighter future. Later, Lin Ge looks at a panda charm and finds it too expensive.

Nie Chi is with her and points out that buying two is more cost-effective for couples. He buys the charms, telling Lin Ge that today is different, and he wants to buy something to commemorate their promise. He later gives Lin Ge one of the charms. Lin Ge tries to hang it on her phone but finds the hole too small. They talk briefly before saying goodnight.

Meanwhile, Zhu Zhu receives a message from her mother about training hard to get into the national team, which leads Zhu Zhu to reflect that family is not always a positive influence. Lin Feng confronts Lin Ge, accusing her of being happy about his expulsion and blaming her for his misfortune, saying he wouldn't have ended up this way if she hadn't competed with him.

Lin Ge tells him he failed because he relied too much on his grandmother and is nothing without her constant supervision. Lin Feng cruelly retaliates, saying Lin Ge is the one who is nothing, with no grandma, no home, and nothing outside the team, while he will be fine. He angrily declares he never wants to see her again and cuts ties.

Later, Lin Feng is seen leaving the training base with his belongings and takes a potted plant with him as he departs. Ms. Han calls Lin Ge to her office and tells her she applied for a special allowance for her. Lin Ge is surprised, noting she hasn't achieved results or competed yet and wonders how she qualified, asking if the money is from Ms. Han herself.

Ms. Han explains it's a subsidy for athletes in need and gives Lin Ge an advance from her own funds to help her focus on training. Lin Ge is moved and hugs Ms. Han, expressing her affection, before gratefully taking the money and heading to train. Ms. Han quietly remarks that she needs to create a record for the payment. The team celebrates the New Year together, enjoying making dumplings.

Ms. Han grants them a short break but stresses the importance of returning to intense training soon. She announces the return of some "old friends" from the national team without naming them. Later, Ms. Han introduces Gao Kai and Chao Jinting, world champions returning from the national team. Lin Ge is impressed, finding them handsome, which prompts Nie Chi to teasingly ask if he is handsome.

Ms. Han asks Chao Jinting to help Lin Ge with her training and refine her technique during her break. Zhu Zhu's parents visit Ms. Han while Zhu Zhu is present. They ask about Zhu Zhu's chances of joining the national team, comparing her to Chao Jinting and suggesting it's Zhu Zhu's turn. They attempt to give Ms. Han a box of "fruit" from their hometown, which Ms. Han refuses. They insist, clearly implying it's a bribe to secure Zhu Zhu's spot, causing Zhu Zhu visible embarrassment.

Episode 6 Recap

Zhu Zhu's parents attempted to offer Ms. Han a box of fruit, asking her to "take care of Zhu." Ms. Han refused, stating she couldn't accept it and treated everyone equally, emphasizing that the gift wouldn't influence her judgment regarding the national team. When the bag ripped, revealing money inside, Ms. Han pointed it out, causing Zhu Zhu extreme embarrassment. Zhu Zhu quickly pulled her parents away. Outside, Zhu Zhu expressed her distress and told them not to return.

Her parents, however, felt they were being generous and that Ms. Han was unappreciative, suggesting she either already accepted gifts from others or they hadn't found the right way. Zhu Zhu found their actions mortifying. Later, seeing Chao Jinting arrive, Zhu Zhu pulled her friend away, avoiding her parents. Chao Jinting returned to the base during her spring break. Zhu Zhu saw her and impulsively challenged her to a 1000-meter race, despite acknowledging her knee injury "can't be fixed."

During the race, commentators noted Zhu Zhu employed a trailing tactic, hoping to conserve energy by staying behind Chao Jinting and benefiting from the wind block, as her endurance wasn't as strong. However, Chao Jinting, having trained with the national team for a year, showed significant improvement, rapidly increasing her speed and leaving Zhu Zhu struggling to keep pace. After the race, Zhu Zhu collapsed in pain from her leg.

Ms. Han instructed Ding Yi to take her to the hospital. At the hospital, Zhu Zhu was diagnosed with severe bursitis. The doctor stated she should have had surgery much earlier and insisted it was required. Zhu Zhu, however, refused surgery, prioritizing an important upcoming competition, and requested conservative treatment. The doctor cautioned that this would necessitate a minimum of three months of rest. Back at the base, Chao Jinting attempted to visit Zhu Zhu in her room.

Zhu Zhu, behind the closed door, told Chao Jinting to leave and wait for her in the national team. Ms. Han announced the exciting news that Beijing had won the bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympics, calling it a dream opportunity for athletes.

She then revealed a new ISU rule prohibiting the tip-of-the-blade start, requiring both feet on the ice, emphasizing its critical importance for success in the 500m event, especially for short-distance skaters like Huang Han, Nie Chi, and Lin Ge. Later, Zhu Zhu confronted Ms. Han, questioning why she hadn't received the same detailed coaching on fundamentals and technique as Lin Ge did upon joining the team.

Zhu Zhu suggested Ms. Han focused on developing talented athletes while pushing others, whom she considered "ordinary," purely on results. Ms. Han admitted she hadn't considered this perspective and was left without a response. Meanwhile, Lin Ge experienced significant leg pain, which had been bothering her for several days. Nie Chi expressed concern and advised her to rest. Despite this, Lin Ge returned to training the following day.

Huang Han attempted to visit Zhu Zhu, bringing homemade food, but was unable to see her, though he expressed determination to keep trying. As Gao Kai, a senior skater, prepared to leave, he said goodbye to Lin Ge and Nie Chi. After Gao Kai departed, Nie Chi was visibly affected, watching Lin Ge and appearing jealous.

Later, Fang Chao encouraged Lin Ge about her potential selection for the upcoming Starlight Cup, expressing confidence in her chances based on her performance, with Nie Chi present. The team list for the Starlight Cup was announced. Lin Ge was selected for the women's team, alongside Zhou Yao and Tian Yu. Huang Han, Nie Chi, and Fang Chao were selected for the men's team.

Excited by her selection, Lin Ge called her Master (who is also her father and the Master of Nie Chi and Fang Chao). Her Master expressed pride in all three (Lin Ge, Nie Chi, Fang Chao) and emphasized the significance of the Starlight Cup as a potential pathway to the national team, adding some playful remarks to Fang Chao. Noticeably absent from the list was Zhu Zhu.

Zhu Zhu later spoke privately with Ms. Han, asking why she wasn't selected despite having been training again. Ms. Han explained that her injury hadn't fully healed, and she hadn't yet mastered the new starting technique. Zhu Zhu insisted her injury wouldn't be a factor and pleaded that this could be her last opportunity to make the national team.

Zhu Zhu pleaded with Ms. Han, explaining her strong desire to reach the national team, a long-held ambition, and expressed fear of regretting it if she didn't try now, especially feeling that at 21 years old, she was getting "old." Ms. Han conveyed her internal conflict regarding Zhu Zhu, recognizing her high ambition but also the physical toll it had taken.

She attempted to offer a broader perspective, reminding Zhu Zhu that her life and future extend well beyond her skating career and that national team entry isn't the only significant goal. Unswayed, Zhu Zhu framed it as possibly her final chance and earnestly requested one more opportunity. She proposed resting completely for one month to focus on full recovery, after which Ms. Han could evaluate her status and allow her to compete if deemed ready.

Faced with Zhu Zhu's unwavering determination, Ms. Han eventually agreed to her proposal. Reflecting on her intense ambition and struggles since joining the provincial team, Zhu Zhu went to the training hall late one night and found Nie Chi still practicing. Despite her own injury, she joined him on the ice. She observed his skating and pointed out a technical flaw, a habit likely carried over from sports school, where he placed excessive weight on his right leg during turns.

She warned him this could cause pain, decrease speed over time, and potentially lead to a chronic injury similar to her own. Nie Chi was appreciative of her observation. Zhu Zhu offered to stay and help him refine his technique if he had time.

While working together, Zhu Zhu opened up, sharing her history of being identified as a promising skater early on, her parents making significant sacrifices to support her, and how their love, though important, also became a source of pressure. She recounted injuring herself pushing hard in her first year in the hopes of quickly making the national team and how she had consistently been just shy of selection ever since, viewing this year as potentially her last chance.

Nie Chi listened sympathetically and offered his perspective, suggesting that while parents' love is crucial, she should primarily live and strive for her own passion, believing this might ease the pressure she feels. Zhu Zhu thanked him, noting his understanding and positive outlook, and expressed hope that they could both make it to the national team. Nie Chi's parents arrived at the training base.

Seeing them, Nie Chi immediately tried to avoid them, telling Fang Chao he didn't want to see them. His parents then met with Ms. Han, stating they wanted to discuss Nie Chi leaving the team. They explained their arrangement with Nie Chi: he would train for a year to achieve national-level results and then go abroad to study, as he had already been accepted by several universities.

They expressed concern about the uncertain nature of a professional athletic career, viewing it as transient ("youth career"), and preferred a more stable path for his future. Ms. Han mentioned Nie Chi's potential for the national team, especially after winning a national relay gold, but his parents were insistent on the urgency of the overseas opportunity. Later, Fang Chao urged Nie Chi to talk to his parents directly instead of hiding. Nie Chi felt communication wouldn't work.

He explained their prior agreement was for one year of training before deciding on studying abroad, but his parents were now pushing him due to the university acceptances. Feeling they were imposing their desired outcome on him just as he was close to reaching the national team, Nie Chi believed stalling until after the upcoming competition, hoping to secure a spot on the national team, was the only viable strategy to gain independence and pursue his own path.

Episode 7 Recap

Ms. Han advised Nie Chi to face his parents directly rather than running away, telling him that while she could help persuade them, ultimately he needed to resolve the conflict himself as they were his guardians. Lin Ge met Nie Chi's parents and offered to take them to see him.

She led them to a room where she presented a detailed overview of Nie Chi's journey, highlighting his dedication and achievements in short track speed skating from his time in sports school to becoming a national champion. Lin Ge spoke passionately about Nie Chi's love for the sport.

Gao Kai, the captain of the national team and a world champion in the 500m, also appeared, expressing his high regard for Nie Chi and his belief that Nie Chi could make the national team. Gao Kai spoke about the honor of representing the country and his commitment to staying healthy to continue skating. Nie Chi then joined them and apologized to his parents for not keeping his promise about studying abroad.

He explained how he felt free and in control only when he was on the ice, comparing his passion for skating to their passion for their careers and asking how they would feel if someone forced them to change their life path. Gao Kai supported Nie Chi, emphasizing his bright future and the pity it would be to give up now.

Nie Chi's father proposed an agreement: if Nie Chi could make the national team within a year, he could continue skating; otherwise, he would have to study abroad. Nie Chi agreed to this condition. Nie Chi's mother expressed her liking for Lin Ge, praising her articulateness and understanding of Nie Chi, and asked her to keep in touch and update her on Nie Chi's progress.

After his parents left, Nie Chi thanked Lin Ge for her help, admitting that communicating with them had been more effective than avoiding the issue, although he sometimes found communication tiring. He acknowledged that her detailed presentation had been particularly effective. Lin Ge explained she helped because she didn't want Nie Chi to experience the pain of resenting his own family and reaching an irreparable point in their relationship.

She also expressed a touch of envy that his family could watch him compete, as her loved ones were gone. Lin Ge then lightheartedly informed Nie Chi that he owed her money for Gao Kai's round-trip flight, hotel stay, food, and even the cost of the presentation template. Nie Chi was surprised by the expenses but agreed to reimburse her.

He was also reminded that he needed to focus and train hard to meet the one-year deadline his father had set for him to make the national team. Later that night, Nie Chi was practicing late on the dryland training ground when he encountered Zhu Zhu. He asked about her leg injury, which was almost healed, and then excitedly told her that he had finally skated under 45 seconds, thanking her.

He specifically mentioned that learning about making arcs during turns had significantly improved his speed. Zhu Zhu seemed taken aback and asked how he came up with the technique. Nie Chi, focused on his progress, continued talking about how practicing the technique further could improve his performance. Zhu Zhu abruptly left, stating she was going back, even though Nie Chi offered to go with her.

Later, at the dining hall, Zhu Zhu chose to sit separately from the rest of the team, including Nie Chi and Fang Chao, signaling her resentment. She spoke to Huang Han, declining his suggestion to help Nie Chi, stating she was different from him and would not give up any opportunity, indicating her rivalry with Nie Chi. During the competition, Huang Han competed in the men's 1500m final.

He was involved in a collision during the race and appeared to be in significant pain, forcing him out of contention for the gold medal. The women's 500m final was next. Lin Ge expressed nervousness about a competitor known for rough play. Nie Chi tried to calm her. Lin Ge went to the restroom. Nie Chi approached Zhu Zhu, asking if she had a bending tool, to which she replied she didn't.

Nie Chi recalled their earlier conversation where he had thanked her for the technique. Lin Ge returned, and Nie Chi brought her a bending tool. As Lin Ge prepared, Nie Chi noticed something was wrong with her skates. He realized they had been tampered with; the screws were loose, unlike how he had left them after tightening them earlier when only Zhu Zhu was in the preparation area.

He quickly gave Lin Ge his own "lucky" training skates to use for the race, telling her to just focus on competing. The race began, and Lin Ge took an early lead. Zhu Zhu initially started in last place. As the race progressed, Zhu Zhu began to make up ground. In the final lap, as she was accelerating, she fell on the curve. Lin Ge crossed the finish line first, winning the national championship race.

Watching Lin Ge celebrate, Zhu Zhu sat alone. Nie Chi approached her, and Zhu Zhu sarcastically suggested he was there to mock her. Nie Chi directly accused her of tampering with Lin Ge's skates, pointing out her suspicious behavior, such as telling Lin Ge to warm up slowly to avoid noticing the problem and her initially slow start which suggested she might have been waiting for Lin Ge to fall. Zhu Zhu denied the accusation.

Nie Chi countered that Lin Ge hadn't fallen because he had given her different skates. He pressed Zhu Zhu, explaining that he knew the screws had been loosened after he tightened them when she was the only one present. Zhu Zhu challenged him to provide concrete evidence or leave. Nie Chi offered to check the surveillance footage. He questioned how she could hurt Lin Ge, who looked up to her.

Zhu Zhu, in turn, expressed her anger and feeling of betrayal, arguing that Nie Chi had taken her technique regarding the arcing during turns and given it to her direct rival, Lin Ge, especially when Zhu Zhu was struggling while Lin Ge was improving. She questioned if he had considered her feelings, reiterating her own ambition to make the national team. It was later decided that Zhu Zhu would be suspended from training and competition for one year.

Zhu Zhu reflected on the incident and chose to leave the team, citing a need to recover from injury. Nie Chi thought about the difficulty athletes face and the importance of having the courage to start over. A teammate delivered a gift to Zhu Zhu from Huang Han, suggesting she visit him in the hospital. Nie Chi, Lin Ge, and Fang Chao also visited Huang Han.

Despite his injury, which he downplayed as a small bone crack, Huang Han remained optimistic, joking and claiming he could still feel like flying in his dreams. He acknowledged that he could no longer skate but stated he was still capable of taking care of himself.

He shared his perspective that injuries were an inevitable part of being an athlete and stressed the importance of maintaining a good mindset, cherishing the time on the ice while preparing for life after skating. He asked his teammates to comfort Zhu Zhu, knowing she must be upset about her race results and her stubborn nature. Separately, Zhu Zhu received the gift from Huang Han: a pair of skates and a note.

In the note, read aloud by Huang Han, he explained he had saved up for a year to buy them for her birthday and thanked her for her concern when he was injured. However, he stated he had to say goodbye because he could no longer be the man who could stand alongside her, implying his injury prevented him from reaching the national team.

He suggested they could be friends, mentioning that Lin Ge thought he was better suited as a friend than a lover. He wished her happiness. Later, Zhu Zhu went to the hospital to say goodbye to Huang Han in person. She asked if he could never skate again, and he confirmed it, again appearing upbeat despite the severity. Zhu Zhu explained she was leaving the provincial team to seek a new environment.

Huang Han was visibly saddened, expressing that it felt sudden and that meeting might be difficult in the future. Zhu Zhu reassured him that with modern transportation and communication, it wouldn't be hard to stay in touch or meet. Huang Han made her promise to take care of her old knee injury. Zhu Zhu agreed and thanked him. When he seemed confused about why, she replied, "Thank you for liking me for so many years."

She left, and Huang Han became emotional. Finally, Ms. Han called Nie Chi, Lin Ge, and Fang Chao into her office. She delivered good news: they had all been selected for the national team. The three were overjoyed and celebrated their achievement. As they left, Fang Chao, assuming they would take the bus together, excitedly boarded it, proclaiming his arrival at the national team. However, Nie Chi and Lin Ge walked past the bus.

Lin Ge questioned why Fang Chao didn't get on, to which Nie Chi pointed out that he did. Nie Chi joked about Fang Chao being an explosive player who still missed the bus, and suggested he and Lin Ge, despite also being explosive players, couldn't catch him either. He said he would walk home as it was close, implying Lin Ge would too. Fang Chao realized he was on the bus alone.

Nie Chi and Lin Ge were last seen walking together, passing street food stalls, with Nie Chi expressing temptation towards food items while Lin Ge encouraged him to maintain focus and resist such distractions.

Episode 8 Recap

Lin Ge was captivated by a large pink plush bear at a game stall, but it was expensive to try and win. Knowing how much she liked it, Nie Chi bought many rings, costing 100 yuan. He managed to win the bear, and Lin Ge was overjoyed, calling it the most special gift she had ever received. Later that night, back in their dorm, they found themselves unable to sleep, still replaying the happy moment in their minds.

Back home before heading to the national team, Fang Chao heard his parents discussing how the three friends would look after each other. He bristled at the idea of being looked after, insisting he wasn't cared for and that Lin Ge and Nie Chi had actually abandoned him earlier.

His mother voiced concern about the three of them spending so much time together, worrying how Lin Ge might choose if she realized both boys had feelings for her, and that her son might get hurt. Upon arriving at the national team base, Nie Chi immediately challenged Gao Kai, the team captain, asserting he would be able to challenge him. Lin Ge warmly greeted her new roommate, Wei, and other senior teammates, who found her very enthusiastic and cute.

In the dorm, Fang Chao was amused when their new roommate, Jin Xinxin, explained how his name, meaning 'plenty of gold,' came about. He was originally supposed to be named Xingxing, meaning 'star,' but a registration officer with poor pronunciation heard 'Xinxin' instead. Fang Chao teased him about the mix-up and about being from Zhejiang, where such pronunciation issues might be common.

Fang Chao then messed up Nie Chi's neatly folded clothes, leading to playful bickering about whose clothes were where. Later, Gao Kai arrived to inform the female athletes about the physical fitness test the next morning, warning that failure would result in no scores. Gao Kai, observing the male athletes' test, noted that Nie Chi was the only newcomer who didn't collapse, assessing him as smart, calm, and not to be underestimated.

Head coach Li Haifeng, now a national team coach, addressed the athletes selected for the trials, explaining the intense competition for the few available spots and the need to change their skating technique to use hip-driven power. He reviewed the physical test results and called Fang Chao, Nie Chi, and Lin Ge over. He assigned Nie Chi to lead Xie Lingwei (Wei) in practice sessions on the ice.

To Lin Ge, he gave the task of solely imitating the technique of their rival, Yang Xiaofei, suggesting she might later become a training partner for the women's team. Hearing Nie Chi would be practicing with Wei and feeling she might have fewer chances to see him, Lin Ge was disheartened. As she practiced trying to mimic Yang Xiaofei, she became distracted and fell, injuring her leg.

Nie Chi was very concerned and quickly took Lin Ge to the medical room. He stayed with her, helping her analyze Yang Xiaofei's skating videos and offering insights into technique, encouraging her not to rush the process. Lin Ge felt a confusing, unspoken emotion towards Nie Chi in that moment. Meanwhile, Fang Chao heard about Lin Ge's injury secondhand from his roommates and was visibly disappointed that he was the last to know.

Back in the women's dorm, Shan, Lin Ge's roommate, demonstrated immense dedication to Wei, helping her manage daily tasks and catering to her fear of the dark by agreeing to always wait for her to shower before turning off the lights, even planning to buy smart bulbs for convenience. A television documentary crew arrived to film the team. During interviews, Lin Ge was captivated by the reporter, Yu Siyang, a former provincial teammate.

When Nie Chi and Wei were called for an interview together, Lin Ge watched, feeling a strange pang of hurt as they appeared comfortable and smiled sweetly together, particularly Wei. Fang Chao noticed Lin Ge's distress and came over to comfort her, then somewhat mischievously commented that Nie Chi and Wei looked quite compatible.

During a break, Fang Chao and Gao Kai engaged in playful banter, comparing themselves and Nie Chi/Wei in terms of looks and performance, with Gao Kai jokingly saying Lin Ge's appearance was fine, but Fang Chao lagged behind.

Later, Lin Ge ate a large amount of food, and when Nie Chi questioned her, she responded sharply, stating it didn't matter how much she ate since her path seemed to be limited to imitating Yang Xiaofei to stay on the team, needing to be as "strong" as her. Lin Ge asked Shan about Wei's background, noting she didn't recall seeing her in domestic competitions despite her talent.

Shan explained that Wei, being a rare talent from their province, had been deliberately shielded from competition to avoid injury and was essentially fast-tracked to the national team, with Coach Li Haifeng having recognized her talent years prior. Shan admitted she was staying to help Wei transition but couldn't stay long-term due to her own performance level, prompting Lin Ge to point out that Shan's constant care might hinder Wei's ability to adapt independently in the future.

Shan acknowledged this but felt obligated to protect Wei during the crucial trial period, reinforcing Lin Ge's earlier assessment of Shan's dedication as immense. Meanwhile, Gao Kai spoke with Yu Siyang, mentioning that Mingyuan had gone for an X-ray and wouldn't return until later. He discussed Mingyuan's recurring back injury and his hopes for him to finally compete in the Olympics after missing two cycles, asking Yu Siyang not to mention he had asked about him.

Episode 9 Recap

Feeling the intensity of the national team selection process, the athletes understand the high stakes; only a quarter will remain. Welcome to the national team. Lin Ge speaks with her teammate Shan, inquiring about Xie Lingwei's relationship history and preferences in boys. Shan suspects Lin Ge is asking on behalf of Nie Chi and agrees Nie Chi has decent looks and family background but finds his personality poor, stating Xie Lingwei shouldn't suffer such a partner.

Lin Ge defends Nie Chi, saying he's easy to get along with once you know him. Shan questions if Lin Ge is trying to set them up, which Lin Ge denies, claiming she was just chatting casually. Shan concludes there's no suitable match in the team and Xie Lingwei is not suitable for dating for a long time. Shan is jokingly called Xie Lingwei's "real mother."

Later, Lin Ge talks with a senior teammate about their competitor Yang Xiaofei, known for her fast start, explosive power, excellent route control, and race strategy. Lin Ge admits she thought Yang Xiaofei was just physically strong and had been trying to increase her weight and food intake during training. The senior teammate points out Yang Xiaofei's low body fat and the futility of gaining weight just through carbohydrates.

Lin Ge is told to weigh herself and is shocked to find she has gained six pounds. She begins working hard to lose weight, later reporting she has lost five pounds and is trying to lose the last one, feeling dizzy from hunger. Coach Li announces the upcoming Huarong Cup Invitational Tournament, a non-scoring world competition organized to promote winter sports.

He lists the participants, including Nie Chi, Fang Chao, Xie Lingwei, and Lin Ge, noting it's a chance for new players to find their competition goals and display team spirit. As they travel, Lin Ge ponders her goal. Upon arrival, the team is visibly exhausted. Lin Ge reflects on the coach's words about goals, wondering if she can realistically aim for a good ranking.

Seeing Nie Chi diligently assisting Xie Lingwei, Lin Ge remarks on her exhaustion from taking care of Xie Lingwei and reveals she has passed the task to Seven Gold, reasoning that since Seven Gold likes Xie Lingwei, he'll be happy to do trivial things with her. Fang Chao then asks Lin Ge who she wants to do trivial things with, making Lin Ge nervous about the upcoming competition and facing Yang Xiaofei.

Fang Chao reassures her that she now understands Yang Xiaofei well, while Yang Xiaofei knows nothing about her. Lin Ge considers the possibility of ending up as a training partner, recalling previous instructions to imitate Yang Xiaofei. In Final A, Xie Lingwei, Lin Ge, and Nie Chi represent China. Coach Li briefs Xie Lingwei and Lin Ge on their key opponent, Yang Xiaofei. The race begins with Xie Lingwei in first, Yang Xiaofei second, and Lin Ge third.

Lin Ge makes a move and overtakes, putting two Chinese skaters in the top two positions. In the final turn, Yang Xiaofei gets very close to Lin Ge, and Lin Ge falls, crashing into the barrier. Xie Lingwei finishes first, securing the gold. Commentary expresses regret for Lin Ge. The referees review the incident. Coach Li appeals on Lin Ge's behalf, but the appeal is denied.

Lin Ge insists Yang Xiaofei pressed on her knee, but Coach Li explains the bodies overlapped in a blind spot, and the camera didn't capture it, making the appeal useless without evidence. He tells Lin Ge there is no absolute fairness on the track, only absolute strength, highlighting the sport's cruelty. In the men's 500m final, Nie Chi is in second place. Commentators note an opening appears for him to overtake Wu Dingwen but he hesitates and misses the opportunity.

He fails to advance and finishes last. After the race, Coach Li asks the team for their thoughts. Nie Chi apologizes. Coach Li questions if Nie Chi's "program" or mindset is rigid. Nie Chi apologizes again. Later, teammates discuss Nie Chi, noting his unusual stillness and that he's not eating dragon fruit, concluding he is more troubled than he appears. Lin Ge finds Nie Chi and urges him to talk about what's bothering him.

Nie Chi reveals his struggle stems from facing unknown international opponents. Unlike domestic races where he knows his competitors, the unfamiliarity makes him hesitant to overtake, fearing collision and injury. He acknowledges Coach Li is right that his "core program" is stuck and worries the problem will worsen, potentially preventing him from competing. He explains his aversion to the unknown, how it causes him to become stagnant.

Reflecting on his past, where he was always in the lead and mocked those who chased recklessly, he now realizes he was the most cowardly for lacking that courage. Lin Ge offers words of reassurance. Later, Fang Chao asks Seven Gold how he knew he liked Xie Lingwei. Seven Gold initially denies it but then confirms the team knows.

He explains that liking someone means thinking about them, feeling happy seeing them, wanting to spend time with them, and hoping they only want to spend time with you. After this conversation, Fang Chao contemplates whether he likes Lin Ge. He then asks Nie Chi why Lin Ge had taken him aside in the restaurant previously. Nie Chi says she wanted to comfort him after he lost his race. Fang Chao seems relieved by this explanation.

Coach Li speaks with Nie Chi, acknowledging his intelligence in analyzing his technical issues but emphasizes a more critical point: the national team does not keep idlers. He contrasts Nie Chi's situation with peers pursuing academics and stresses that time is fair to everyone, suggesting Nie Chi consider studying if he's not committed to fighting for results in skating, especially given his family's resources.

He reminds Nie Chi of the fierce competition to reach the national team and the expectations placed upon him, stating that without results, he will be eliminated. Fang Chao tells Lin Ge that Nie Chi went to see the coach to get a "ticket," implying he was being sent back home, a possibility Fang Chao had heard about from Gao Kai. Lin Ge, along with Shan, rushes to the coach's office, with Fang Chao following, worried.

They find Nie Chi is fine; Coach Li was merely admonishing him and stopped because of the noise outside. The scare was a false alarm. Nie Chi confirms he's temporarily safe but notes everyone in the national team is only temporarily secure. Lin Ge asks if he will stay now that he has a chance. Nie Chi says his mental hurdle is difficult to overcome and asks if he needs help. Lin Ge offers assistance if he commits to staying.

Fang Chao, frustrated, challenges Nie Chi, saying overtaking isn't that hard and questions his courage and talent if this causes him to give up. He challenges Nie Chi to practice overtaking on the ice, to which Nie Chi dismissively replies that Fang Chao isn't qualified to be his training partner.

Episode 10 Recap

In the competitive world of short track speed skating, a participant from the Jiangbei Team is known for playing dirty, even pushing her own teammates if needed. This highlights the cruel nature of the sport, where there's no absolute fair play, only absolute ability.

Inside one team, Fang Chao expresses frustration with Nie Chi, telling him passing someone in a race shouldn't be so hard, asking why he's scared, and questioning his masculinity when he didn't return Lin Ge's high five earlier. Nie Chi reacts emotionally, saying Fang Chao cannot be his training partner as few on the team are qualified. He reveals his struggle isn't just technical but his mindset, which he describes as terrible despite ten years of skating.

He wants to stay on the team more than anyone. Seeing Nie Chi lose his temper, Fang Chao feels it's good, interpreting it as a sign that Nie Chi truly sees him as a brother, especially since it's the first time Nie Chi has shown such raw emotion in front of him. After reviewing the second assessment, the coaching staff, including Li Haifeng, decides on the final national team members: Xie Lingwei, Lin Ge, Fang Chao, and Jin Xinxin.

Nie Chi is listed as a pending member. The coaches discuss Nie Chi, acknowledging his excellent skills and potential to follow in Gao Kai's footsteps if he overcomes his mental block. They recognize they can't force him through it. They compare him to other skaters, noting Xie Lingwei's focus and how Lin Ge, Fang Chao, and Jin Xinxin's physical reactions are faster than their minds, while Nie Chi's mind reacts faster than his body.

They conclude Nie Chi's intelligence is both his greatest strength and problem, questioning how to train him to make his body reaction override his thoughts, which seems almost like training a "superman." They decide to wait and observe him further. Meanwhile, Lin Ge talks with her Senior Sister Jinting. Jinting teases Lin Ge about liking Nie Chi, mentioning seeing her hugging him.

Lin Ge denies this, explaining Nie Chi was upset about his fear of passing others and she was just comforting him. She points out she treats Fang Chao the same way, considering both Nie Chi and Fang Chao her best friends. Jinting jokes about how Lin Ge is always beating up Fang Chao but not Nie Chi, contrasting it with her own relationship with Gao Kai, whom she hits, suggesting physical interaction indicates a different type of relationship.

Lin Ge trusts Jinting and asks for advice on helping Nie Chi. Jinting initially suggests Nie Chi might be better suited for long track speed skating. This sparks a realization for Lin Ge. She later discusses it with Nie Chi, comparing short track (requiring overcoming collisions) to speed skating (winning with absolute speed, avoiding contact). She explains that since they chose short track, they must overcome the fear of physical contact and dare to pass others.

Nie Chi affirms he only likes short track and will not change events. They agree to work together to find a solution to his mental barrier. Later, Lin Ge encounters her Senior Sister Shan, who is preparing to leave. Shan reveals she is retiring soon, having made the decision long ago. Although she wished to compete in the World Tour, she wasn't selected and feels it's time to let go rather than occupy resources needed by others.

She expresses confidence in Lin Ge's future success. Shan gives Xie Lingwei a colorful rope for good luck and protection during competitions, a gift she only had two of and didn't even give to her own Senior Sister. She asks Lin Ge to take care of Xie Lingwei and focus on domestic competitions, telling her it's the best time to improve by working on details with Ms. Han. After tearful goodbyes, Shan departs.

Lin Ge and Xie Lingwei return to the training base in Songbei Province. Ms. Han greets them warmly, joking about Lin Ge having gained weight and needing aerobic training. She is happy to have them back. They are assigned their old rooms and given the program book for upcoming events, noting some familiar names, including Zhu Zhu competing in the 1000m. Jinting joins Lin Ge and a new junior sister, Ni Zitong.

Jinting playfully teases Lin Ge about their first meeting. Ni Zitong asks about the beds in the room, having heard that past occupants made it into the national team, and is inspired by Lin Ge's dedication even after joining the national team.

At the ice rink later, Nie Chi waits for Lin Ge, having left the dorm after seeing Xie Lingwei win gold in the World Tour and feeling restless about his own situation and the progress of younger skaters like Ni Zitong. He recalls Zhu Zhu's constant extra training, wondering if part of it was to avoid seeing him due to competitive pressure. Lin Ge is tired but agrees they should walk instead of training.

Nie Chi admits he hasn't found a way to overcome his barrier yet. Lin Ge expresses nostalgia for simpler times in the provincial team where progress felt more straightforward and goals were achievable. Nie Chi agrees, comparing their current struggle to a difficult uphill climb compared to walking at the foot of a mountain. Meanwhile, one of the Han brothers has returned and is drinking, talking to Lin Ge.

Nie Chi walks in, sees the brother is gone, and asks Lin Ge what he talked about. Lin Ge says he only talked about dreams. Unseen by them, Fang Chao is outside the room with sugar-coated haws, looking dejected. He gives Nie Chi the haws and sends him away, then asks Lin Ge to stay and talk privately. He suggests they hang out on their day off, just the two of them, and asks her to keep it a secret.

Lin Ge is a little suspicious but agrees. Fang Chao goes to their dorm room and tries on clothes, looking for something nice to wear. Nie Chi notices Fang Chao is acting strangely. Nie Chi is about to leave the room but sees Lin Ge and Fang Chao leaving together without him. Fang Chao takes Lin Ge to the mall, using the excuse of needing help to buy a Mother's Day gift for his mom to get Lin Ge alone.

He notices Lin Ge is quieter than when she's with Nie Chi. Fang Chao asks why. Lin Ge explains that previously she only focused on making money, but now she has a found family (Fang Chao's family) who aren't related by blood but treat her well, and that makes her much happier. She cherishes them and wants to do things for them to make them happy, not just to repay favors.

She mentions buying a high-pixel phone for Mrs. Fang because hers wasn't good for taking pictures, and Fang Chao giving her a new phone in return. Lin Ge finds this idea of strictly returning favors strange between people who are like family.

Fang Chao agrees and shares his plan to buy his mom a gift and send it to her office to allow her to proudly show it off, ensuring the "Old Fang family doesn't lose" in the friendly competition among colleagues. Lin Ge is touched by Fang Chao's thoughtfulness towards his mother. Fang Chao then asks about Lin Ge's feelings towards him specifically within this family context.

Lin Ge reminds him of all the things he's done for her, from accompanying her to sports school and training to supporting her. She jokes about him getting less smart but promises that as long as she has food to eat, she will ensure he has food too. Her words make Fang Chao happy, and they decide to go eat together.

Years later, Fang Chao would reflect on this moment as his first awkward attempt to distance Lin Ge from Nie Chi, viewing his small effort as a significant personal leap in his emotional development and a turning point in his reliance on Nie Chi.

Episode 11 Recap

Nie Chi was in a conversation with Ms. Han. Ms. Han told him that it was her oversight for not discovering his technical problem sooner, explaining that Mr. Li only identified it after the Huarong Cup. She expressed that competing in the current domestic Grand Prix wouldn't significantly help him, as his endurance wasn't sufficient for leading long distances, despite his strength in the 500m race where he typically led from qualifications to finals.

Nie Chi voiced concerns about potentially affecting the reputation of the provincial team and Ms. Han, but she reassured him that those were the coaches' concerns and he should focus on himself. Nie Chi then directly asked Ms. Han how much longer she thought Mr. Li would keep him on the team, to which she replied that his future was uncertain if he didn't show improvement after the other athletes returned from competition.

Outside, Lin Ge was found to be eavesdropping. She admitted to overhearing Ms. Han mention that the Grand Prix was no longer beneficial for him. Lin Ge then questioned Nie Chi about who on their team possessed skills so superior that overcoming them required exceptional courage and a slight chance rather than finding technical flaws. Nie Chi named Gao Kai as the only one.

Lin Ge offered to approach Gao Kai to ask him to be Nie Chi's training partner, but Nie Chi refused, stating he would ask Gao Kai himself. When Lin Ge offered to accompany him, mentioning that Gao Kai was kind to her, Nie Chi again declined, explaining he did not want her to owe Gao Kai a favor and wished to handle the situation himself, hoping to show some improvement in his communication skills.

Lin Ge reluctantly agreed to trust him this time. Changing the subject, Lin Ge asked if Nie Chi had bought his mother a gift for the upcoming Women's Day, emphasizing its importance even if it was something small like a leaf. Later, anticipation grew at the Sports School for the return of Wei and Gao Kai. Preparations were made to welcome them back.

Lin Ge watched the preparations, reflecting on how being a world champion must feel and wishing for such an achievement herself one day. When Wei and Gao Kai arrived, they were met by a crowd of reporters and teammates. Coach Li gave brief remarks, and reporters eagerly questioned Wei about her performance abroad and potential media appearances. Wei also shared a moment with her senior teammate, Zhou Yao, upon her return.

Nie Chi approached Gao Kai, addressing him as "Leader," to ask for assistance. Gao Kai, who was eating, requested a moment to finish and catch his breath. Fang Chao commented on Nie Chi's blunt way of asking. Nie Chi stated he would remain standing, believing it showed more sincerity. He explained that he wanted Gao Kai to practice overtaking with him during races. Gao Kai reminded Nie Chi that he had initially said he didn't need help.

Nie Chi conceded that his earlier attitude was poor but then clarified that he was simply being honest. Gao Kai pointed out that as both teammates and opponents, helping Nie Chi practice overtaking was akin to teaching him how to compete against him. Nie Chi explained that practicing with Gao Kai was his best option, as Gao Kai's top-tier skill provided the most realistic simulation of an actual race.

Gao Kai acknowledged this compliment and, with a hint of amusement, asked what Nie Chi could offer in return, playfully suggesting Nie Chi lacked business sense unlike his parents. Nie Chi asked what he desired. Gao Kai stated he wanted Nie Chi to show him more respect by calling him "Senior" from now on, emphasizing that the title of "Leader" was temporary, while "Senior" was a sign of genuine respect.

Nie Chi first addressed him as "Leader" again before correcting himself and calling him "Senior." Gao Kai agreed to discuss the training arrangement with the coach, warning Nie Chi that if approved, he would train him intensely, calling him a "stupid kid." Nie Chi thanked him, using the title "Senior." Back in the dormitory, Gao Kai's teammates discussed the importance of mentoring junior athletes, noting that by 2022 they would be considered veterans.

Gao Kai, who would be 30, countered that mentoring was primarily the coach's role. He explained that he agreed to help Nie Chi because he found Nie Chi's technical skills good and comfortable to work with, and having him perform well on the field reduced Gao Kai's own concerns.

He also revealed he had overheard the coach requesting Nie Chi's results, confirming the coach hadn't given up on him and would likely have asked Gao Kai to assist anyway, making his agreement a straightforward decision. Nie Chi trained intensely with Gao Kai, repeating drills under his instruction. Lin Ge later observed Nie Chi looking exhausted, suggesting it was due to the increased training intensity imposed after Nie Chi was distracted by watching Gao Kai train earlier that day.

Lin Ge questioned why Nie Chi hadn't overtaken Gao Kai during a practice lap when he seemed to slow down. Nie Chi explained that Gao Kai's speed and ability to quickly adjust made opportunistic overtakes risky, potentially leading to collisions. Lin Ge argued that the time Nie Chi spent analyzing was enough to execute the overtake. Lin Ge suggested that Nie Chi's mindset was focused on opponents trying to obstruct him, which Nie Chi confirmed.

Lin Ge dismissed this as "common thinking," asserting that true masters possess superior avoidance skills and that Nie Chi should courageously seize any chance to overtake, quoting the saying that "the brave prevail in a narrow path." Nie Chi challenged her advice, questioning its theoretical basis and the risk of collision. Lin Ge told him to trust a "woman's sixth sense."

Nie Chi agreed to trust her advice but added that he should still see a doctor if his leg hurt. Nie Chi then claimed that their conversation had made him feel better and his leg no longer hurt. In a subsequent practice session, Nie Chi initiated an active overtake on a turn, increasing his speed alongside Gao Kai. Both skaters accelerated rapidly, and Nie Chi successfully completed the overtake. Lin Ge was visibly excited by Nie Chi's success.

Later, some speculated that Nie Chi's performance might secure his spot on the team. They considered celebrating, with Nie Chi suggesting dining at the canteen while others preferred eating out. Nie Chi reminded them his position was not yet confirmed and went to ask Mr. Wang for leave. Separately, Fang Chao asked Gao Kai why he had skated so fast that day. Gao Kai replied he disliked the feeling of someone closely trailing him and wanted to create distance.

Fang Chao asked if he was surprised Nie Chi was able to keep up. Gao Kai acknowledged that Nie Chi wouldn't be idle during their training camp. Fang Chao playfully called Gao Kai obsessive for competing intensely with everyone, from seniors to juniors, noting that Nie Chi was still far from matching his skill. Gao Kai admitted he knew this but continued his intense approach.

Fang Chao teased him for overthinking and behaving like a poser who would only exhaust himself. Lin Ge was seen looking through clothes, including sportswear, mentioning how she missed the more fashionable clothes of her former provincial teammates, contrasting them with Wei's preference for comfortable sportswear. Thinking about meeting someone, Lin Ge decided to dress up nicely. She accompanied Wei to meet some senior teammates.

The seniors were enthusiastic about showing a video they had edited, featuring clips of Nie Chi and Wei together. The video was set to music and edited to look like a romantic drama, with on-screen text and comments from the seniors expressing excitement about them as a couple and highlighting interactions with phrases suggesting deep affection.

Wei became flustered, denying any relationship with Nie Chi and asking Lin Ge to support her, pointing out how much time she spends with Lin Ge. The seniors continued to tease, commenting on how well they looked together in the video and speculating that Nie Chi might actually have feelings for Wei if Wei only saw him as a friend.

They asked Lin Ge, knowing she was close to Nie Chi, if she thought there was a possibility between them, stating that "the eyes of the masses are sharp." Internally, Lin Ge reflected on her complex emotions regarding Nie Chi and Wei, recognizing the feeling as jealousy she couldn't openly express as a friend, finding the emotion complicated but not daring to explore its source within the national team environment.

Feeling overwhelmed, she told the others she was tired and needed to leave. Nie Chi later visited Lin Ge in her dorm room. Fang Chao, upon seeing them inside, felt uncomfortable, mentioning later his awkwardness about the broken light bulb and how to turn off the light. Lin Ge was in bed early, claiming to be just tired when Nie Chi expressed concern she might be sick.

She declined his offer to take her to the team doctor, insisting she was fine and wanted to sleep. Fang Chao provided Nie Chi with fever-reducing medicine for her. As Fang Chao and Nie Chi left the dorm, Fang Chao asked Lin Ge why she had suddenly fallen ill, but she simply repeated she was tired and unresponsive to his offer of help.

Talking to Nie Chi, Fang Chao suggested they postpone their planned celebration since Lin Ge wasn't going, to which Nie Chi agreed. Fang Chao then proposed that they buy Lin Ge's birthday gifts separately this year for her 18th birthday, as he wanted to get her something on his own. Nie Chi casually agreed, saying "Okay, sure." Fang Chao then headed to the canteen. Later, Nie Chi approached Lin Ge, who was looking at her phone.

He asked her what was wrong and if he had made her angry. Lin Ge denied he was the cause but admitted she was angry, describing it as a form of displaced anger she couldn't control. Nie Chi noted that when he was potentially leaving, she was anxious to help him, but now that his position wasn't confirmed, she seemed to be treating him differently.

Lin Ge responded that many people cared about him, and his affections were not limited to just her. Nie Chi then reminded her about downloading an app with a specific password and installing a light bulb later.

Episode 12 Recap

Nie Chi saw Lin Ge riding a shared bike nearby, looking angry as if he were a terrible person. Nie Chi couldn't understand why Lin Ge had been ignoring him for days, so he decided to surprise her with a birthday celebration involving their teammates. He presented Lin Ge with a large cake for everyone to share, which seemed to melt away her anger.

Fang Chao watched them looking at each other, feeling a pang of jealousy, but knew he couldn't express his feelings. As Nie Chi and Lin Ge shared the cake, it felt like all their previous unpleasantness had vanished, though something still troubled Lin Ge. After her birthday, Lin Ge finally confronted Nie Chi, asking why he hadn't told her he liked Xie Lingwei if he considered her a friend.

She felt hurt, especially since a video of them together was widely circulating on the campus network, making it hard to believe no one had seen it. Nie Chi's silence felt like a confirmation that they were together. Nie Chi was surprised by the video and immediately explained that he didn't like Xie Lingwei.

Lin Ge thought he was just making excuses and still didn't see her as a true friend, believing that fondness could be seen in a person's eyes. Nie Chi clarified that he was actually looking at Lin Ge, who was in front of him during the interview, which naturally drew his gaze. After explaining, he went on to tell Lin Ge that he liked her. Lin Ge, surprised but happy, asked if he was confessing his feelings to her.

While Lin Ge was talking to Nie Chi, Fang Chao was secretly practicing how to confess to Lin Ge. However, he was a step too late and felt heartbroken that his close friend had seemingly won over the girl he liked. Fang Chao struggled with his perceived cowardice for not expressing his feelings earlier. He finally gathered the courage in the bathroom, intending to tell Lin Ge, but realized she hadn't even noticed his presence or distress.

Disappointed, Fang Chao left, wiping away tears before returning to the dorm. Nie Chi saw Fang Chao looking upset and carrying some things as he left the room. Knowing Nie Chi liked her made Lin Ge feel incredibly excited. Nie Chi noticed Fang Chao seemed off but didn't dwell on it. News broke that Nie Chi had officially become a formal member of the national team, bringing joy to some and disappointment to others.

When Lin Ge called out to Fang Chao to practice, she noticed he was deliberately avoiding her and Nie Chi. Fang Chao asked Lin Ge if Nie Chi had confessed to her. Seeing her expression, he understood he had lost and decided to give up. Lin Ge sensed something was wrong with Fang Chao but couldn't pinpoint it. Meanwhile, Gao Kai tried to create an opportunity for Chen Mingyuan and the reporter, Yu Siyang, hoping to push them together.

Lin Ge heard from a senior teammate about Chen Mingyuan's past relationship with Yu Siyang, which ended dramatically when their coach separated them to focus on their careers, leading to Yu Siyang leaving skating while Chen Mingyuan stayed to pursue their shared dream of an Olympic medal. Learning this made Lin Ge feel Chen Mingyuan was cold-hearted for not seeing Yu Siyang for eight years.

Everyone anticipated seeing the reunion between Chen Mingyuan and Yu Siyang, who was coming to interview them. When Yu Siyang arrived, she seemed calm despite the situation. Gao Kai deliberately ensured Chen Mingyuan was present for the recording. Lin Ge felt that under Coach Li Haifeng's intense training regimen, athletes had no time for dating and feared getting caught.

Nie Chi and Lin Ge went out together, but Lin Ge seemed more interested in seeing Fang Chao, even pretending not to know Nie Chi when they were near him. It seemed to Fang Chao that they were putting on a show. Coach Li had already noticed the dynamics between Lin Ge and Nie Chi but chose not to address it yet. During training, Lin Ge and Nie Chi were distracted, losing focus on their starting reactions.

Coach Li noticed their lack of concentration and made them do extra training time. Nie Chi mused that dating under Coach Li's strict supervision was risky, and a confession felt like seeking punishment. However, he decided that maintaining his position on the national team was paramount and he couldn't afford to lose it. Later, Lin Ge was found asleep on the floor, having intended to train but getting lost in her thoughts all night.

She chided herself for her lack of discipline. The next morning, Fang Chao brought Lin Ge breakfast and told her he liked her in a letter, admitting he wasn't good with words, but felt too nervous and told her to ignore him as he felt like a "psycho".

Episode 13 Recap

Nie Chi confessed his feelings to Lin Ge, stating that he likes her and has a lot he wants to tell her. Lin Ge seemed surprised and hesitant, but she did express how happy she was with the birthday she had, mentioning a gift Nie Chi gave her. Later, Han Bing arrived to visit someone and brought a gift specifically for Lin Ge. She mentioned that other athletes had families who provided for them.

She sat down to talk with Li Haifeng, who was concerned that Nie Chi and Lin Ge might be heading down the same path as Chen Mingyuan and Yu Siyang, implying a romantic relationship that caused problems. Han Bing was not surprised, noting she had seen many such situations with adolescent athletes. She believed that dating itself might not affect training, but a breakup definitely would. She advised Li Haifeng not to interfere unnecessarily.

Han Bing also suggested that Li Haifeng should pay attention to Fang Chao, as she suspected Fang Chao might also have feelings for Lin Ge. Li Haifeng agreed that if Nie Chi and Lin Ge were to get together, Fang Chao would be the one who needed attention. They reflected on how complicated young people are now compared to their own time. Nie Chi found Lin Ge and confronted her about avoiding him all day.

He felt hurt and confused, asking if he had upset her or if she disliked him, urging her not to make him guess her feelings. Lin Ge admitted her thoughts were a bit selfish and she hadn't figured out how to tell him. She explained that every time she faced a problem, he was always there for her, just like he was with her family and senior teammates like Gao Kai and Huang Han.

She saw him as one of the closest people to her, but seeing videos of him and Wei together made her angry and sad, leaving her confused about the nature of their relationship. Nie Chi explicitly stated their relationship was "love." He then understood that her avoidance was due to seeing what happened with Chen Mingyuan and Yu Siyang. Lin Ge asked if they could maintain some distance in front of others, and Nie Chi agreed.

Fang Chao came to Lin Ge's dorm, saying he saw her training condition wasn't good and wanted to check on her. He heard her talking about Nie Chi and realized she often mentioned him. Feeling dejected, Fang Chao commented that he should have started caring about her training sooner, then abruptly decided to leave, saying "That's it." Li Haifeng and Han Bing continued their conversation, with Han Bing noting Lin Ge's unusually high energy in training.

They discussed how the current generation of athletes is different, more independent and prone to strong emotions that can be hard for coaches or even parents to manage. Li Haifeng considered giving them a mild warning or making adjustments. Han Bing advised caution and discretion. Later, Li Haifeng announced a change in dormitory arrangements, explaining it was due to team adjustments related to the Olympic cycle.

He gave a speech about cherishing the limited years they have at the national team level and staying focused on their purpose. After the general announcement, Li Haifeng called Lin Ge to his office and told her to maintain her good training state. After her meeting with Li Haifeng, Lin Ge and Nie Chi discussed the encounter.

Lin Ge admitted she was afraid of Li Haifeng, finding him hard to read and pointing to his past decisive actions, like splitting up Chen Mingyuan and Yu Siyang and selecting Xie Lingwei for a competition over a senior teammate. Nie Chi called her fear "animal intuition," which Lin Ge took as an insult, leading to a playful scuffle.

The dorm list showed Nie Chi rooming with Gao Kai and Fang Chao with Jin Xinxin, indicating some changes had indeed occurred. Fang Chao confronted Nie Chi, demanding to know if Nie Chi considered him a brother. He accused Nie Chi of not telling him about his relationship with Lin Ge despite them being close every day, and of betraying him by confessing to Lin Ge first.

Fang Chao revealed his deep, long-standing feelings for Lin Ge, recounting their childhood together, how he always protected her, and celebrated her birthdays, and how he felt he was the childhood friend who should have ended up with her. He expressed hurt and confusion about why Nie Chi came back and took Lin Ge from him, admitting he thought his sincere feelings would be returned but now felt undeserving and that it was unrequited.

He directly asked if Nie Chi knew he liked Lin Ge. Nie Chi admitted he liked Lin Ge and hadn't realized Fang Chao felt the same way. He offered to let Fang Chao hit him if it would make him feel better, provoking Fang Chao to punch him. The next morning, Nie Chi had a visibly swollen face. When asked by coaches and teammates, he claimed he bumped into something getting up in the dark.

Gao Kai awkwardly tried to back up this story. Fang Chao announced he was moving out of the dorm. Li Haifeng saw Nie Chi's face and told him to come to his office after training. In his office, Li Haifeng and Han Bing discussed athlete performance. Li Haifeng noted Fang Chao and Jin Xinxin's issues with sprinting in the 1500m race, while Nie Chi, less experienced in that distance, performed better.

He asked Han Bing to talk to Fang Chao about his rigid pacing strategy and help him correct it. They also briefly commented on Nie Chi's obvious face injury, not believing his excuse. Lin Ge later learned from Nie Chi that Fang Chao liked her and had intended to confess to her on her birthday. This news made Lin Ge feel guilty, realizing the fight between Nie Chi and Fang Chao was because of her.

She felt she needed to resolve the situation with Fang Chao quickly, worrying that waiting would cause them to drift apart. Nie Chi insisted it was a matter involving all three of them. Meanwhile, Fang Chao spoke to Shi Tiantian, the new physical therapist, admitting he had a muscle bruise but also venting about his emotional state.

He described his close childhood bond with Lin Ge, sharing everything from morning routines to training, feeling they were destined to be together, only to realize the person closest to her was now someone else. He felt like he had misread the "script" of their relationship, and Shi Tiantian advised him to stop "acting" if that was the case. Later, Lin Ge waited for Fang Chao outside his dorm. Nie Chi was there briefly before leaving.

Lin Ge told Fang Chao she knew about the fight and felt it was her fault. She told him he was a very good person and thanked him for liking her, implying she could only see him as a friend. Fang Chao understood, acknowledging he was just hoping against hope. He admitted his jealousy of Nie Chi and his confusion about his own feelings, regretting fighting Nie Chi out of anger.

Lin Ge reassured him it wasn't his fault and that they could work through it. Fang Chao worried about losing their friendship, but Lin Ge promised they were connected like family, reassuring him they would remain friends. Back in the dorm, Nie Chi tried to talk to Fang Chao about strategy for the 1500m training, but Fang Chao seemed distant.

Separately, Li Haifeng discussed potential athletes for a TV station shooting with Han Bing, suggesting Nie Chi, Fang Chao, Jin Xinxin, and Lin Ge. He noted Nie Chi's recent emotional troubles could be used as leverage to get him to agree to participate.

Episode 14 Recap

Coach Li Haifeng held a strict view on athletes, believing they should be isolated and focused solely on training, with recognition only coming from winning gold medals, not from publicity or outside distractions like phones or relationships. He felt athletes, supported by national resources, should not be interested in the outside world, even suggesting retirement if they desired a life like others. Another person, likely a manager, disagreed strongly, arguing that ice sports were gaining popularity and needed publicity.

They felt athletes shouldn't be shielded from the world, especially when they all had phones. This led to a heated disagreement, with Coach Li's stance labeled as extreme. Separately, Gao Kai extended an invitation to a variety show, mentioning that Wei would be participating. Nie Chi expressed willingness to join if Wei was going. Later, Coach Li Haifeng commented on Fang Chao's performance in the 1500m race, acknowledging his second-place finish but questioning the method.

Fang Chao explained his strategy, admitting it wasn't entirely his own. It was revealed that Nie Chi had provided the tactical advice indirectly, asking for his involvement to be kept secret. Coach Li found the explanation confusing and emphasized that while helping each other was good, Fang Chao needed to develop his own independent tactical thinking and flexibility for races like the 1500m.

Following the revelation about the tactical help, Fang Chao confronted Nie Chi, stating that he no longer needed Nie Chi's assistance and preferred to handle his strategies himself, even if it meant admitting he wasn't as quick-minded. Nie Chi apologized, suggesting Fang Chao was overthinking the situation. Fang Chao insisted he could accept help from anyone "except" Nie Chi.

Despite acknowledging that neither Nie Chi nor Lin Ge had done anything wrong, he expressed his sadness about the situation, to which Nie Chi responded that he also felt he wasn't at fault. The conversation highlighted the strained relationship between the former close friends. The list for the Youth Championship was released, including Lin Ge in the 500m event. Initially, Lin Ge hoped this competition, without senior members, would allow her to race freely.

However, during a briefing, Coach Li Haifeng informed her and Wei that the final strategy would involve Lin Ge covering for Wei. Lin Ge expressed significant disappointment, reflecting on her hard work since a previous competition and feeling she was destined to always play a supporting role. She recalled a past conversation about facing stronger competitors and felt she now understood another athlete's past feelings of despair.

Nie Chi offered encouragement, telling her that competing against stronger athletes was a way to improve and assuring her that she would find her own path and that he would be by her side. In the Youth Championship finals, Nie Chi won the Men's 500m. In the Women's 500m, Lin Ge successfully provided cover for Wei, who secured the gold medal and broke the event record.

At the subsequent press conference, Coach Li Haifeng commented on Lin Ge's strong second-place finish, noting her skill in holding position but also her apparent exhaustion towards the end. Wei spoke about her victory, attributing her leading strategy solely to her speed, a response that caused some quiet dissatisfaction among observers who knew Lin Ge had covered for her.

When asked about his win, Nie Chi mentioned wanting to thank someone who had encouraged him, with subtitles implying he looked toward the audience. After the formal proceedings, Nie Chi helped Lin Ge find a lost charm rope, sharing a brief moment where Lin Ge commented on his importance, and he reassured her she was always important. This moment was interrupted when Wei and others called Nie Chi over for photos.

Nie Chi and Wei posed together as champions, and Lin Ge watched from the side, visibly affected. Back at the dormitory, Lin Ge overheard teammates excitedly discussing media photos of Nie Chi and Wei, labeling them the "national team's golden couple" and even reading online comments that portrayed Nie Chi's efforts as being for Wei.

The teammates teased Wei about her preferences, and she indicated Nie Chi in various hypothetical scenarios, causing Lin Ge increasing distress before she quietly left the room. Distraught by the dormitory conversation and the perception that Nie Chi and Wei were a more suitable match, Lin Ge felt overwhelmed.

She expressed her deep insecurity to Nie Chi, feeling she lacked the "qualification" or "stage" to be with him, citing differences in achievement, family background, and financial status, and believing she didn't deserve him compared to someone with gold medals like Wei. Nie Chi found her and firmly denied having any feelings for Wei, assuring Lin Ge that she was the only one he liked.

He strongly urged her not to look down on herself, expressing absolute certainty that she would achieve her own success and reach a greater stage one day, emphasizing, "because you are Lin Ge." When she asked if he could wait for her to reach that point, Nie Chi refused to wait, instead proposing they announce their relationship publicly right away to show everyone she was his girlfriend and reassure her.

Following their decision, Nie Chi and Lin Ge's relationship became known to their close friends and teammates, who reacted with surprised acceptance and advice to be discreet, particularly around the coaches. Nie Chi, visibly happy, worked on an apology video for Fang Chao, showing it to Gao Kai. Gao Kai then showed it to Fang Chao, who reacted awkwardly before announcing he would go home for the holidays instead of joining them to visit Ms. Han.

Nie Chi interpreted this as a sign of slow progress in their strained friendship. Upon returning to the provincial base, a security guard referenced their relationship by combining their names, calling them "Nie Ge," though Lin Ge gently corrected him. Lin Ge later spoke with Ms. Han, discussing her enhanced training regimen and her experience competing with Wei. While she expressed admiration for Wei's talent, she conveyed her strong reluctance to remain in a permanent supporting role.

Ms. Han provided guidance, suggesting that Coach Li Haifeng's tactical decisions, even requiring her to cover, could be seen as valuable opportunities for gaining experience and improving her skills, a perspective Lin Ge found insightful.

Meanwhile, at his home, Fang Chao was visibly unhappy, prompting his parents to guess he was heartbroken, likely over Lin Ge and Nie Chi, after observing his demeanor and looking at his phone, where they commented on a photo of a girl (presumably Lin Ge) dressed lightly in the cold, suggesting it was during a date.

Episode 15 Recap

Nie Chi and Lin Ge had their first date at a place like an aquarium. Lin Ge found it new and exciting, mentioning she hadn't been to many places. Nie Chi promised to take her to all of them one by one. They enjoyed watching the fish and took photos. Lin Ge asked Nie Chi when he started liking her, listing possibilities like the panda gift or paying her sports school fee.

Nie Chi revealed it was from their very first meeting, stating he fell in love with her at first sight. Lin Ge teasingly called him manipulative for plotting so long. Nie Chi then reminded her of a past New Year when she found a coin in a dumpling, which he confessed he put there on purpose, marking it. Meanwhile, Fang Chao was struggling emotionally.

His father told him that life is full of disappointments and advised him not to take everything to heart, suggesting drinking to forget his troubles. Fang Chao, feeling like his bravery had vanished, broke down crying to his mother, unable to understand why Lin Ge didn't choose him and questioning his own worth. His mother reassured him, listing his good qualities like being kind, filial, and hardworking, telling him she was proud of him.

Fang Chao still felt Nie Chi was superior in skating, family wealth, and maybe looks. His mother explained that love isn't about conditions or comparisons, using her own marriage as an example – she chose his father despite other suitors being "better" on paper because she simply liked him. She emphasized that Lin Ge liking Nie Chi is just a matter of personal preference, not a judgment of Fang Chao's worth.

His mother encouraged him to cry and let his feelings out. She then surprisingly suggested he go find Nie Chi and fight, telling him she would support him. Fang Chao claimed he already fought Nie Chi and "kicked his ass," winning two punches. Though he admitted a bit of regret after the alleged fight, his mother expressed confidence that he acted responsibly.

After their emotional conversation, Fang Chao's mother gave him a task: the next time he came home, he must bring both Lin Ge and Nie Chi with him for New Year. Later, Fang Chao called Nie Chi downstairs and confronted him angrily. He accused Nie Chi of not treating him like a brother, saying Nie Chi made a fool of him by secretly pursuing Lin Ge despite their shared history.

Fang Chao bitterly compared himself to Nie Chi, acknowledging Nie Chi's greater talent and family background but expressing how much he genuinely supported Nie Chi's success and struggles. He felt his sincerity was met only with one-sidedness and felt like a "fool." He accused Nie Chi of coming back from Beijing just to steal Lin Ge.

Nie Chi responded that he had never realized Fang Chao liked Lin Ge and offered to let Fang Chao hit him until he felt better, asking if he was "a real man" to hit him. The confrontation ended with Fang Chao saying, "Let's go," and proposing they go home to eat dumplings. The holiday ended, signaling the start of a new season. Athletes returned to the National Ice Sports Base.

Teammates discussed the addition of the mixed team relay, seeing it as a new opportunity for gold, and speculated on who would be in the Tier 1 team, mentioning a male athlete and Wei as definite candidates. They discussed the physical demands of a girl pushing a boy and the importance of weight compatibility. The coach, Mr. Li, introduced Zhu Zhu from the Jiangnan Team as a new teammate.

Zhu Zhu spoke briefly with Mr. Li about her recovery from bursitis surgery and her Grand Prix results. Mr. Li acknowledged knowing a little about her situation with Lin Ge and offered her a chance to compete this season, stating her continued place on the team would depend on her performance. Zhu Zhu thanked him, promising to seize the opportunity. Later, Wei got badly burned on her foot while trying to use a hot compress, spilling the kettle.

She was in pain. After disinfection, her foot needed time to heal, and using painkillers was not an option. Given that the relay was scheduled for the next day, competing was ill-advised. The manager questioned Lin Ge on why she hadn't taken better care of Xie Lingwei, pointing out Wei's poor self-care skills and the critical timing before the competition. Lin Ge replied that she was too tired and had fallen asleep.

The manager insisted it only took a few minutes to boil water and questioned why Lin Ge hadn't done it, suggesting Lin Ge should be watching Wei 24/7 due to her self-care issues. Lin Ge pushed back, arguing that she wasn't a nanny and was also there to compete. She felt the manager was being unreasonable, suggesting she was either being seen as insensible or expected to become a second "Shan Shan."

She differentiated between helping a friend willingly and being mandated to care for someone because of their limitations, calling the latter "bullying." Another teammate, Jinting, later talked to Lin Ge, validating her anger and telling her she was right to speak up against being taken advantage of, advising her not to be pushed around by "geniuses." At the World Tour Shanghai Station mixed relay, Lin Ge competed. In the final lap, she was encouraged to sprint and maintain her rhythm.

After the race, during the post-match press conference, Gao Kai commented on the race as a cooperative effort between new and old players, expressing the team's satisfaction with the results. Wei was then interviewed, explaining that she had accidentally burned her foot the day before, which was why she was replaced in the relay, but stated Lin Ge was prepared and the team's result wasn't affected. When asked if she regretted missing the rare opportunity, she admitted a little regret.

Lin Ge was then asked if her first major gold medal was due to luck. She firmly stated that all competing athletes relied on their strength, not luck. After the press conference, someone (implied to be Nie Chi) expressed doubt about Wei's statement during the interview to Gao Kai, wondering if it was problematic.

Gao Kai suggested it depended on whether someone interpreted it maliciously, but acknowledged that speculation and conspiracy theories were likely given Lin Ge's sudden substitution, and Wei's words might give those speculations direction. They decided against warning Lin Ge immediately, letting her enjoy her gold medal win first. Elsewhere, Lin Feng was working at a small shop.

An auntie told his grandma that Lin Ge had won a gold medal in an international competition and that the sports school coaches were hanging banners. Grandma immediately assumed there would be substantial prize money and declared she would ask Mr. Fang about how much a world champion earns. She believed she deserved credit for Lin Ge's success because she sent her to skate initially, and planned to ask Lin Ge for money to help Lin Feng's future.

Lin Feng angrily told his grandma not to go asking Lin Ge for money, questioning what Lin Ge's money had to do with them. Grandma insisted the money was for Lin Feng's future and, unfairly, blamed Lin Ge for Lin Feng quitting the provincial team, saying Lin Ge caused trouble. Lin Feng tried to stop her, but she continued to prioritize getting money from Lin Ge for his sake, expressing her hard work was all for him.

Episode 16 Recap

As Fang Chao's father saw neighbors excitedly discussing the Olympic champion, many checking in at locations related to her, he felt a sense of pride. He almost approached them for a photo, but then overheard the news spreading online: a viral post alleged that Lin Ge had deliberately injured Xie Lingwei, known as Wei, to secure her victory, leading to widespread condemnation of Lin Ge. Disturbed by this, he rushed home.

Nie Chi was concerned about how Lin Ge would handle the negative reactions, but seeing that she remained calm and seemed unaffected, he felt relieved. Lin Ge was preparing to eat when she received calls from her master and his wife, Mrs. Fang, checking in on her. She reassured them she was doing well. Her master advised her to read the comments but not take them to heart, citing an old saying about fame attracting trouble.

Lin Ge said she knew how she earned her medal and didn't care what others said, as long as those she cared about believed in her and recognized her ability. Later, in the dorm, Wei approached Lin Ge to apologize for the online slander she had faced because of Wei. Lin Ge dismissed it as nonsense she wouldn't take seriously.

However, Lin Ge then suggested that Wei needed to become more independent and take more responsibility for herself, mentioning simple tasks like boiling water. Wei reacted emotionally, tearfully asking if Lin Ge hated her or didn't want to be her friend anymore. Lin Ge clarified that she didn't hate her but simply had limited energy and needed time for herself, mentioning how accompanying Wei to events all day could be tiring.

Wei understood and agreed to go to an upcoming event with Gao Kai instead. Meanwhile, Gao Kai sustained an ankle injury—a serious ligament strain and hairline fracture—while participating in a variety show. At the hospital, Coach Li Haifeng sternly reprimanded Gao Kai, forbidding him from engaging in such "useless" activities during the season and threatening to expel him. After the doctor left, Li Haifeng revealed that his outburst was partly staged to send a message.

He emphasized that an athlete's priority is achieving results; popularity without performance is meaningless. He instructed Gao Kai to take photos of his injured foot and post them on Weibo, which Gao Kai, calling him a "cunning old fox," did, causing a stir online. In the dorm, the team reacted to Gao Kai's injury. Senior team member Jinting was particularly upset, believing Wei's distress after the incident was insincere compared to Gao Kai's season-ending injury.

Other teammates tried to defend Wei, saying she was just scared. Gao Kai returned from the hospital with his foot wrapped. He told Lin Ge that Wei was frightened. Later, Gao Kai, despite his injury, resisted using the wheelchair provided by the team and was found trying to walk. Nie Chi saw him and forced him into the wheelchair, telling him to stop pretending to be fine after ruining his season with the show.

He stressed the importance of focusing on healing and preparing for the next season to prove himself. Nie Chi then called for Fang Chao to push Gao Kai in the wheelchair. Fang Chao expressed his stress about the upcoming competition and a recent conversation with Coach Li Haifeng, who had told him to "be tough" and lead the Men's 1500m.

He felt pressure and doubted his ability to step up, feeling he always hid behind others like Chen Mingyuan or Nie Chi. A teammate in the medical room encouraged him, pointing out that he was the male athlete with the fewest injuries and the healthiest.

Fang Chao then received a call from Li Haifeng, who confirmed he would travel with the team to the next event and would be watching, warning Fang Chao that he would laugh if he failed to perform. In an interview, reporters asked Wei about the colorful rope she wore. Wei explained it was a blessing from her grandma for safety during competitions and that she had given one to Lin Ge.

She declined a request to make more for fans, citing her grandma's age. Asked about the competitive relationship between her and Lin Ge, especially after her injury, Wei stated they were good friends and urged people to stop speculating. Lin Ge agreed, describing their relationship as a healthy competition with a shared goal of representing their country. Lin Ge even deferred to Wei, saying Wei was the stronger athlete.

Later, Lin Ge and Jinting discovered Wei in extreme distress in her room, screaming and crying uncontrollably. Jinting explained to Nie Chi and Lin Ge that Wei's grandma had passed away and her family had kept it from her to allow her to focus on the upcoming tour competition. Jinting was upset that such significant news was withheld for "just a tour." The team members agreed to take turns staying with Wei. Lin Ge stayed with her that night.

Wei developed a fever and, delirious, expressed a desire to see her grandma. Lin Ge comforted her, sharing her own experience with grief after her mother's passing and telling Wei her grandma wanted her to be happy and they would meet again when she was old. Lin Ge stayed by her side, and Wei seemed to feel safe but kept looking towards the window. Lin Ge later questioned the coach about the decision not to inform Wei about her grandma's death.

Episode 17 Recap

Lin Ge questioned why Mr. Li hadn't directly informed Wei about her grandma's passing, instead telling her so she could step in as the main force. She felt it might cause unnecessary issues and needed to be clarified. Mr. Li explained that Wei's grandma's last wish was for her family not to tell her until after the competition so she could focus.

He planned to give Wei time to process later, but needed Lin Ge to know about the team's decision. Since Wei's condition meant she couldn't compete, Lin Ge would take her place in the next tour stop, with support arranged to help her achieve good results. Mr. Li asked if she was ready to take on the challenge. Lin Ge hesitated, concerned for Wei, but Mr. Li stated it was a necessary part of her growth as an athlete.

Fang Chao, seeing Lin Ge and someone else together, felt uncomfortable and told them to leave. Shortly after, Jinting, a senior sister, gave Fang Chao a pendant she had worn since childhood, saying it brought her luck in all her exams. Fang Chao was nervous about his upcoming 1500m final, especially facing a strong opponent named Daniel. He wore the pendant for the race. During the race, Fang Chao accelerated in the final half lap, catching up to Daniel.

They crossed the finish line almost simultaneously. The results showed Fang Chao finished third, defeating his rival and setting a personal best. He thanked Jinting, saying her blessing was effective. Lin Ge checked the final list for her race and found she was in the outermost lane, while Yang Xiaofei was in the first. She worried about Yang Xiaofei possibly interfering during the race. Mr. Li encouraged Lin Ge before her 500m final.

He told her not to be nervous, emphasizing her starting speed advantage. He instructed her to stay steady even if she didn't get the lead at the start, expressing full confidence in her ability to handle Yang Xiaofei based on her knowledge of her opponent's technique and strategy. In the women's 500m final, Yang Xiaofei took the lead with her explosive start, followed by Li Jiawen of Hungary, with Lin Ge in third.

Lin Ge pushed hard, overtaking a competitor on the straight track to move into second place. She then focused on closing the gap with Yang Xiaofei. In the final lap, the two skated neck and neck around the curve. Yang Xiaofei unexpectedly fell, taking other skaters with her. Lin Ge managed to stay upright and skated across the finish line, winning the gold medal.

Her coach noted how she came from third place to win and forced her rival into disarray, causing others to fall. After the race, Lin Ge's teammates congratulated her but kept mentioning her "good luck," which she found slightly annoying, feeling it downplayed her effort. She said luck was part of strength and that she would skate even better next time, confident she could beat her opponent even if she tried to interfere again.

Later, she discovered her victory had gone viral online, with videos edited and shared, leading to her gaining over a hundred thousand followers overnight. Mr. Li visited Lin Ge, acknowledging her being on trending topics and her sudden popularity. He advised her that popularity and fans were fleeting and that an athlete's true foundation was their performance. He told her to focus on the upcoming relay and avoid distractions, even offering to hold her phone until after the competition.

Lin Ge assured him the competition was her priority. Her teammates also flocked to her room, jokingly asking to touch her for "good luck," calling her a "lucky star." Nie Chi also came to Lin Ge's room to congratulate her. Lin Ge noticed his presence and her teammates quickly left.

Nie Chi didn't believe in luck and told Lin Ge she shouldn't either, suggesting they maintain distance until after the next day's race to prove their success was based on strength. They agreed to focus on the relay. Meanwhile, Lin Feng was engrossed in his phone. His aunt arrived and informed his grandma that Lin Ge had become famous for winning the championship after others fell, and people were calling her a "lucky star" who could bring good luck.

His grandma excitedly talked about the prize money Lin Ge must have won. Lin Feng, tired of being called "granny's boy" and feeling like a burden, decided he would go to Beijing to make money himself. Despite his grandma's pleas, recounting the difficulties of raising him alone and worrying about his safety, he left to play games.

At the internet cafe, others recognized him as Lin Ge's brother and started harassing him, calling him "granny's boy" and demanding he pay for their games because his sister was rich. Later, Lin Feng's grandma went looking for him, discovering he had taken the train to Beijing with a friend named Wu Jie that afternoon. She seemed distressed. Alone at her small shop, she suffered a coughing fit and discovered she was coughing up blood.

Back at the dorms, Wei was in a deep state of sadness, lying in bed with the covers over her head, crying. Lin Ge entered the room, seeing Wei seemed unwell, and quietly left. Wei had always relied on others and felt her gold medal was significant, but her closest bond was with her grandma. She was waiting for news. Lin Ge picked up a package for Wei that had been sent to the wrong building.

She brought it back to the dorm. Inside, Wei found numerous colorful ropes braided by her grandma, meant to be replaced yearly and intended to last for 100 years, wishing Wei safety and a long life. There was also a message from her grandma, delivered posthumously, explaining she wouldn't recover and expressing her last wish for Wei to be happy, train hard, and win a championship.

Wei broke down in tears, processing the news of her grandma's passing and her final message. Lin Ge, understanding her grief, was there for her. Meanwhile, Gao Kai was observed acting strangely by his teammates, including Chen Mingyuan. He was unusually cheerful, showing a "fake smile" even towards Nie Chi, who had just won a silver medal and set a national record in the men's 500m, with fans speculating he would become Gao Kai's successor.

Gao Kai's teammates noted his behavior was very different from his usual sarcastic and reserved demeanor. Later, Gao Kai asked Chen Mingyuan to go with him for a bike ride late at night. Gao Kai admitted he was anxious because he didn't feel he had Nie Chi's talent, worrying about being surpassed. Chen Mingyuan, an Olympic champion himself, reminded Gao Kai that many talented athletes came and went, but those who persevered were the ones who reached the end. He urged Gao Kai to cheer up and show his strength, getting him to continue cycling to work through his anxiety.

Episode 18 Recap

Wei thought about her grandma, who had wished for her safety and happiness and for her to win a championship, even making colorful ropes as charms. Feeling her mood was now more stable, Wei decided it was time to resume training. The next morning, she happily told Lin Ge that she could go to the training rink, but she asked Lin Ge to go ahead without her.

Wei explained that she wanted to tidy up her things first and could manage herself, promising to join soon after. Lin Ge was delighted by her decision. Wei then spoke with Coach Li Haifeng, formally requesting to rejoin the team for training. She assured him she was feeling better. However, she also told the coach that she no longer wanted to cooperate with Lin Ge on the ice.

She explained that Lin Ge had encouraged her to try being independent, and she wanted to test her own abilities. Additionally, she felt it was unfair to Lin Ge, who had consistently covered for her in competitions, and believed competition should be based on individual skill.

Coach Li Haifeng rejected the idea of her competing alone, stating it was only possible if she became so strong she didn't need tactical support, or if Lin Ge surpassed her to the point where Wei would cover for Lin Ge. Until either of those situations occurred, he insisted she could not work independently. Wei understood and agreed. Coach Li Haifeng also advised Wei to call her parents, as he knew she hadn't been answering their calls.

Wei called her mother, who expressed immense joy at hearing Wei was back in training, reassured her that she was doing well, and told Wei she loved her. During the men's 500-meter final, Nie Chi, a top contender, suffered an injury when he fell during the final sprint, leaving fans worried.

Lin Ge reacted with immediate alarm upon seeing him fall and tried to go to his side, but Coach Li Haifeng stopped her, reminding her that she was there as an athlete to compete and assuring her that the team doctor and Nie Chi's parents were attending to him. After completing her own race, Lin Ge learned that Nie Chi had been taken back to Beijing, where his mother had arranged hospital treatment, suspected to be for a meniscus injury.

Distressed by the news and uncertain details, Lin Ge sent Nie Chi many messages, none of which received a reply. Overhearing Coach Li Haifeng discussing Nie Chi's condition on the phone, Lin Ge learned that a definite diagnosis was still pending and treatment was uncertain. Upset and confused, Lin Ge confided her worries, questioning if she was somehow responsible for his injury, oscillating between feeling like a lucky charm and a jinx.

She was further distressed by Nie Chi's lack of communication. Lin Ge remained anxious about Nie Chi's silence. Fang Chao was present and tried to explain Nie Chi was likely unavailable due to surgery and recovery procedures. Lin Ge's mood changed abruptly when she received a message from Nie Chi confirming his surgery was over and he was fine, expressing her relief. Meanwhile, Gao Kai visited Nie Chi in the hospital.

He spoke with an arrogant tone, suggesting Nie Chi would be stuck recovering while watching him win medals. Nie Chi found his attitude unpleasant. Gao Kai eventually changed his demeanor, acknowledging that as team captain, he needed Nie Chi back. He offered unsolicited advice, warning Nie Chi that meniscus injuries are difficult and he should avoid watching races, particularly Gao Kai's own performances, suggesting it might be too upsetting.

Nie Chi challenged him, suggesting Gao Kai should focus on his own performance when Nie Chi returns. Gao Kai left, expressing hope that Nie Chi's abilities would match his defiant attitude upon his return. Shortly after, Fang Chao arrived to visit and noticed someone resembling Gao Kai acting stealthily. He joked that Nie Chi must feel special having the captain visit secretly. Later, Lin Ge visited Nie Chi, who admitted to some pain now that the anesthesia had worn off.

Lin Ge again expressed guilt, wondering if her not sharing her "luck" before the race had contributed to his fall. Nie Chi brushed off her concerns and suggested she share her luck with him now. Lin Ge proposed visiting him every weekend, but Nie Chi pointed out that Coach Li Haifeng wouldn't allow unscheduled trips.

They agreed to rely on calls and messages for now and planned to visit their former master and his wife together after Nie Chi had recovered and the current season concluded. The doctor later requested to speak privately with Nie Chi's mother about his condition. Nie Chi, however, insisted on being present, stating that as the athlete, he needed to understand his rehabilitation plan.

The doctor revealed that the assessment of his knee function was not ideal, noting clear popping sounds and restricted movement. He emphasized that recovery required patience and that the current focus was on reducing pain, restoring range of motion, and preventing stiffness, rather than immediate weight-bearing exercises. Nie Chi asked about the possibility of weight training, but the doctor explained it would depend on his future recovery progress, suggesting they start with basic rehabilitation first.

Nie Chi's mother told him that multiple doctors had confirmed the surgery was successful, but Nie Chi felt his condition was still poor. His parents also began pushing the idea of studying abroad, presenting it as a necessary "backup plan" since he was injured and couldn't skate, showing him study materials. Nie Chi seemed resistant. Lin Ge, unsettled by Nie Chi's situation, spoke with Fang Chao, expressing worry about the upcoming competition in Montreal and Nie Chi's health.

She resolved to focus on her competition and visit Nie Chi upon her return. Back in the hospital, Nie Chi was caught by the doctor secretly doing weighted leg exercises, which caused his knee to lock. The doctor explained this indicated his meniscus was far from healed and rushing could be detrimental.

Acknowledging Nie Chi's anxiety about losing muscle and sensitivity crucial for skating, the doctor agreed to cautiously incorporate a small amount of weight training into his plan, with strict warnings against practicing on his own and emphasizing the need to stop immediately if he felt any pain. While Lin Ge was competing in Montreal, she kept in touch with Nie Chi via messages, informing him of their arrival and activities.

During one of his rehabilitation sessions, Nie Chi asked the doctor about the worst possible outcome if his recovery didn't go well. The doctor reiterated that the surgery was successful and that following the plan could allow him to return to a "normal" state. Nie Chi clarified his concern: "normal" state might mean he wouldn't be able to handle the high-intensity training required for competitive sport, viewing this outcome as the worst result "for him".

Simultaneously, Nie Chi's parents discussed their determination to send him abroad, even if he resisted, believing it was the only way to shift his focus away from skating and prepare him to take over their business. Later, Lin Ge visited Nie Chi and found him looking at TOFEL materials. Interpreting this as a decision to give up skating and possibly their relationship, she confronted him.

Nie Chi denied wanting to break up but admitted his post-operative evaluations were discouraging and he was uncertain about the extent and timeline of his recovery, particularly for balance and explosive power. He explained he hadn't told her to avoid affecting her competition and because he didn't want her to see him in a vulnerable state or be disappointed by his potential limitations. Lin Ge reminded him that she had always been there through his difficulties.

Nie Chi explained that being confined to bed led to anxiety and overthinking, compounded by parental pressure. He confessed that looking at study materials was a "backup plan" to reassure his parents, but Lin Ge argued that having a backup plan made it easier to give up. Lin Ge then reminded him of their shared dream of reaching the national team and becoming world champions together.

She gave him a colorful rope, a symbol of luck, and asked him to believe in his full recovery for the sake of their shared future. Nie Chi agreed to try. Lin Ge later met Nie Chi's mother, who acknowledged their relationship and surprisingly asked Lin Ge to help persuade Nie Chi, specifically to study abroad. She even offered to include Lin Ge in the plan.

Lin Ge questioned the necessity of him going abroad, suggesting the Nie Chi she knew wanted to be a world champion, not a businessman. Nie Chi's mother explained that given his age as an athlete and current injury, studying abroad to get a degree was a practical path for him to eventually take over their family business, citing her and his father's age and their wish to prevent further injuries.

She dismissed Lin Ge's point about Nie Chi's dreams, stating that while parents know what their children want, his injured state left him without options. She abruptly ended the conversation. Lin Ge privately reflected on the struggle to balance her ambitions with the realities of Nie Chi's injury and his family's influence, feeling overwhelmed by the obstacles threatening their future together and questioning if she had the strength to pursue her dreams without him.

Episode 19 Recap

Nie Chi's parents insisted he go abroad for recovery after his meniscus surgery, telling him he couldn't keep practicing now that he was injured. His mom took his phone and promised to return it at the airport, stating they had agreed he must stop training if he got hurt.

Nie Chi argued injuries are common for athletes, but his mom felt his current state, unable to move much, was severe and continuing would "doom" his career, suggesting he could recover just as well abroad. Lin Ge discussed the situation with Wei, who asked about the relationship with Nie Chi's mom. Lin Ge mentioned his mom left before she could fully talk to her, and Wei questioned why his parents framed talking to him as a "negotiation."

Lin Ge felt they didn't care about Nie Chi's wishes. Wei countered that it only mattered if Nie Chi cared and posed the rhetorical question, "Nie Chi doesn't want to go. Can they force him to go?" Lin Ge repeated the idea, contemplating it. Meanwhile, unannounced anti-doping inspectors arrived at the hospital looking for Nie Chi. They informed the nurse and explained that missing an inspection by WADA meant being sent back and damaging the team's reputation.

Lin Ge tried to contact Nie Chi's mom after getting her number, but the call was disconnected. Panicked, Lin Ge learned Nie Chi had just been discharged. Just then, Fang Chao appeared, and Lin Ge explained the urgent situation – Nie Chi needed to return for the inspection within an hour or his career was at risk. Nie Chi managed to text Lin Ge his location and mentioned they were stuck in traffic.

Lin Ge and Fang Chao raced to the location, encouraged by the traffic jam slowing the car down. They found Nie Chi in the car. Fang Chao quickly hoisted Nie Chi onto his back, and they ran back towards the hospital, leaving his parents chasing and yelling about Nie Chi's injuries, recovery abroad, and safer sports options like chess or bridge. They successfully returned to the hospital just in time for the inspectors.

Mr. Li met Fang Chao and Lin Ge, outwardly scolding them for their dangerous and reckless actions, but the reprimand seemed less severe than expected. Mr. Li then spoke privately with Nie Chi's parents. Nie Chi's mom questioned why Mr. Li and the team would let him continue training with such an injury.

Mr. Li explained that knee injuries are common in short track and Nie Chi's case, according to medical experts, was not the most severe and had significant recovery potential. He stressed his responsibility as head coach and that giving up on Nie Chi's career now would be a great loss. Nie Chi's parents insisted that only going abroad for education would guarantee his future, dismissing dreams as fanciful.

Mr. Li countered that Nie Chi was an adult with the right to choose his path and urged them to listen to his perspective. Mr. Li later told Nie Chi to speak with his parents properly about the situation. Nie Chi thanked Mr. Li, who replied he could thank him only if he managed to stay. Nie Chi vowed to try his best. Nie Chi's parents visited him, bringing homemade bone broth.

Nie Chi explained he couldn't drink it, detailing the strict diet athletes must follow due to anti-doping tests, even avoiding outside meat for years. His mom was saddened she hadn't realized this. Nie Chi apologized for causing them worry and for lying about not getting hurt, explaining that injuries are unavoidable. He told them his determination came from their example, recalling how his dad, after losing his job, used their savings to start a business, leading to their current prosperity.

He called his dad his idol and asked for the chance to follow his own path, just as they had made their own choice despite others' advice. He asked them to let him be stubborn once more. Lin Ge assisted Nie Chi with his rehabilitation exercises. Gao Kai visited, asking Lin Ge about Nie Chi's recovery progress, which was slow but steady, advising patience.

Gao Kai also asked Lin Ge for advice on how to politely refuse business endorsement offers, stating he was short on money. Lin Ge suggested thanking them, focusing on competition now, and leaving the door open for future cooperation. Lin Ge was approached by Wu Jie, a friend of her brother Lin Feng from their hometown.

Wu Jie urgently explained that Lin Feng was in the hospital needing immediate surgery after falling from a scaffold and being impaled by a rebar, and there was no one available to sign the consent forms. He asked Lin Ge to sign as his sister. Lin Ge initially refused, stating she had no relationship with her family, suggesting they contact his grandma. However, seeing the urgency, she agreed to go to the hospital to see him.

After the doctor confirmed the need for surgery, Lin Ge agreed to the plan but insisted Wu Jie first contact her grandma by phone to get her consent before she would sign, to avoid future blame. Wu Jie said he couldn't reach the grandma. The team Manager spoke to Lin Ge, mentioning the high cost of Lin Feng's surgery and treatment, revealing he had paid some money upfront. Lin Ge insisted on finding her own way to cover the costs.

She decided not to tell Nie Chi or her teammates, not wanting to add to Nie Chi's recovery stress. Nie Chi messaged her, expressing how much he missed her and telling her to focus on training but share any troubles. Lin Ge reciprocated the sentiment. Later, Wu Jie informed Lin Ge that her grandma had passed away and the neighborhood committee had handled the funeral.

He added that his attempt to get money for Lin Feng's surgery from the grandma's place was unsuccessful and even cost him money for funeral expenses. Lin Ge was visibly affected but reiterated she would figure out the money herself and told Wu Jie not to tell the coaches or team. Facing financial pressure, Lin Ge met with a brand representative about a live broadcast endorsement opportunity.

The rep offered a significant amount, explaining it was a charity event and her role would be minimal, just lending her celebrity status. Lin Ge was hesitant due to existing team sponsors and her focus on the upcoming competition season. The rep clarified the broadcast would be pre-recorded and aired "after" the World Championship, and gently pressured her by mentioning other candidates and revealing they knew about her brother's expensive surgery, promising discretion. Lin Ge considered the contract.

In the 1000m qualifying race, Lin Ge made a tactical error aiming for first place in the group, which caused her to fail to qualify for the semifinal, leading to Mr. Li's disappointment and scolding. Meanwhile, Zhu Zhu's knee injury worsened, but she insisted on competing in the 1000m World Championship race, as she was the only one who had qualified for the next round, determined to win the gold medal and accepting a block injection to manage the pain.

Zhu Zhu went on to win the 1000m gold, but fell on the ice after crossing the finish line, likely due to exhaustion and her injury. During the competition, Wei discovered that a brand had officially announced Lin Ge as their new spokesperson, releasing the news publicly at that moment. Upset because Lin Ge had assured her the announcement would be after the World Championship, Wei confronted Lin Ge, who reminded her of their conversation and the agreed timing.

Before the 500m final, Mr. Li gave Lin Ge and Wei instructions, emphasizing staying calm and executing the strategy: Wei to start strongly for the lead, with Lin Ge providing cover. In the race, Lin Ge initially skated behind Wei, providing cover. However, she then overtook Wei. Soon after, Wei fell after a collision with a European competitor attempting an inside pass. Lin Ge continued the race alone for the final lap, struggling.

In her mind, she saw the rink from a new perspective, wondering if it might be her last time on the ice. Just before the finish line, she was knocked down and fell. After the competition, Mr. Li gave Lin Ge a train ticket, sending her back to Songbei, her provincial team.

Lin Ge reflected privately on her life feeling like a bottomless broken bowl, with new troubles always awaiting her, and the difficulty of saying goodbye to the person who mattered most, Nie Chi. Fang Chao informed Nie Chi that Lin Ge had been sent back by the coach. Shocked, Nie Chi immediately wanted to leave the hospital to find her, despite not being fully recovered. The nurse tried to prevent him, but he insisted it was urgent.

While waiting for the nurse to consult the director, Nie Chi received a text message from Lin Ge. She wrote that she had returned to the provincial team, was sorry she couldn't say goodbye in person, and felt confused, wanting to be alone for a while. She told him not to worry about her and urged him to listen to the doctor and recover quickly. Nie Chi tried to call her, but her phone was turned off.

Episode 20 (Ending) Recap

Lin Ge went to visit her brother, Lin Feng, in the hospital after his surgery. Lin Feng, despite saying harsh things, clearly cared about her and struggled to hide his emotions. Lin Ge told him not to worry about repaying the eighteen thousand yuan for his surgery and treatment, revealing that one hundred thousand of it came from money their mother had left for them before she died.

She recounted memories of their mother, including her efforts to visit Lin Feng when they were children and the financial struggles. Lin Ge insisted they were siblings and she didn't want to see him become a "real loser," before leaving, unaware that her words brought Lin Feng to tears. Returning to the provincial team base, Lin Ge was met with a mixture of familiarity and complex feelings.

A junior sister, hearing Lin Ge was back, immediately offered her bed, expressing hope that sleeping there again would help Lin Ge return to the national team. While back on the ice, Lin Ge's training performance was noticeably off. Ms. Han observed her lack of flexibility and focus.

After the session, Ms. Han confronted Lin Ge about her state, acknowledging her talent but questioning her current motivation for skating, contrasting it with her past goals of earning money and improving her life. She pointed out Lin Ge had achieved financial stability and fame, yet seemed lost, having even closed her social media accounts.

Concerned about Lin Ge's influence on younger team members who looked up to her, Ms. Han gave Lin Ge a week off to clear her mind and figure out what she truly wanted. Lin Ge initially protested, saying she didn't need a break, but Ms. Han reminded her who was the coach. Meanwhile, Nie Chi, who had been undergoing rehabilitation, missed Lin Ge deeply, sending her messages expressing his longing.

Separately, Fang Chao, who seemed to be a mentor figure for both Lin Ge and Nie Chi, met with Ms. Han and later, Nie Chi. Ms. Han told Fang Chao that Lin Ge could complete her training but was clearly distracted. Fang Chao then met with Nie Chi, who was anxious to see Lin Ge and explained how much she had helped him overcome personal difficulties.

However, Fang Chao advised Nie Chi that Lin Ge was facing a personal hurdle that she needed to overcome by herself, and seeing her at this moment might only complicate things. He urged Nie Chi to return to Beijing and focus on his own recovery and training. Lin Ge also reconnected with Zhu Zhu, a former teammate who had left the national team due to a knee injury and was now running an interest class at the provincial base.

Zhu Zhu spoke candidly about the challenges athletes face, the limits of ability, and her own experience. She asked Lin Ge if she had truly given her best and if she had any regrets, to which Lin Ge responded with uncertainty. Zhu Zhu encouraged Lin Ge not to make "someone" wait too long and even offered her a coaching position, suggesting it could be more lucrative than being on the team.

Despite Fang Chao's advice, Nie Chi, in emotional turmoil, went to a barbecue restaurant and drank with Fang Chao. He expressed his sadness and fear that Lin Ge might give up on "him". Fang Chao again tried to counsel patience, drawing parallels to his own persistent, yet restrained, approach to pursuing Ms. Fang.

Later, a drunk Nie Chi continued to send voice messages to Lin Ge, reiterating how much he missed her and mentioning a gift he was buying for their promise. Lin Ge eventually found the intoxicated Nie Chi. Seeing his state, she chided him for drinking, especially with his recovering knee. They embraced, finally able to express their deep longing for each other.

Lin Ge told him he needed to return to Beijing to train, compete, win a world championship, and fulfill his dream. Nie Chi confessed he didn't know how he could fulfill his dream without her by his side. Lin Ge promised to stay with him and accompany him. This reunion felt like a turning point, framed by the realization that the journey and the people shared it with made everything worthwhile.

News of Nie Chi's public social media post, a heartfelt confession of his feelings for Lin Ge, spread quickly among the team members via a junior sister's phone. Teammates reacted with surprise and amusement, questioning whether this public display might jeopardize their chances of returning to the national team. Some joked that since even their team leader had reposted it, perhaps "he can't punish everyone." Despite the buzz, Lin Ge seemed flustered.

An older figure, possibly Ms. Fang, expressed her affection for Lin Ge and Nie Chi, accepting Nie Chi as "half a son." Taking a decisive step, Lin Ge called Mr. Li, a coach at the national team. Mr. Li, having seen Nie Chi's post, questioned their relationship publicly but then challenged them. He stated that if they couldn't pass the national team's test race the following day, they would be sent back permanently.

Lin Ge and Nie Chi accepted the challenge, expressing their gratitude. As the team prepared for the new Olympic cycle with the Beijing Winter Olympics in mind, Fang Chao was seen proposing to Zhu Zhu, who, though touched, prioritized healing her leg and performing well next season. Lin Ge, witnessing this, was asked by a teammate who she wanted to share moments with. She responded, affirming her commitment to Nie Chi. The team then dedicated themselves to rigorous training, focusing on their shared dream of bringing glory to their country.