Chasing the Wind Episode 2 Recap
> Chasing the Wind 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.
