Ping Pong Episode 14 Recap
> Ping Pong Recap
Before Xu Tan left Coach He's training facility, he respectfully bade farewell. Coach He, dismissing the authority of Fu Chuanzhi, insisted Xu Tan pass one final test: to lift the same barbell Xu Tan had lifted when they first met. Xu Tan, serious and mentally prepared, found the barbell to be completely weightless, remarking it was "lighter than a fart." Coach He then told him to "pack up and scram," adding a sarcastic comment about who would be punished next.
Coach He smiled in relief, and Xu Tan's respectful address of "Coach He" made him feel deeply touched. Coach He encouraged Xu Tan to return to the team the next day, stating that Lei Cheng must have missed him, and invited him to visit often if he enjoyed the place, expressing his pride in Xu Tan. Xu Tan then formally said, "Coach He, I'm leaving."
Lei Cheng gave his daughter, Lei Lei, a lengthy lecture about working hard and striving for honor and dignity, especially since her academic performance had declined after considering a shift to science. Lei Lei later found Xu Tan in the old storeroom, teasing him for "daring to cause trouble" and playfully suggesting he become an actor instead of a ping-pong player. They listened to music together.
When Lei Lei had to leave for evening self-study, Xu Tan offered her a box of chocolates he had saved, but she declined due to her rush. She asked him to look after her father and ensure he didn't drink. Back in the dorm, Ma Chuan was surprised to see Xu Tan return so early. Xu Tan shared the good news that Fu Chuanzhi had informed him he could resume training the following day.
A heavy weight was lifted from Ma Chuan's heart, and he was delighted, proposing they celebrate by eating Xu Tan's chocolates. However, Xu Tan refused, stating he was saving them for a specific purpose. Ma Chuan suspected Xu Tan was "up to something," but Xu Tan denied it and suggested they go eat noodles with soybean paste instead. Xu Tan's training regimen intensified.
Lei Cheng provided Xu Tan with detailed information on defensive playing styles, tailoring his training to Xu Tan's strengths rather than forcing a change in style. Xu Tan, acknowledging Lei Cheng's understanding and personalized approach, expressed his determination to master the new materials. Liu Shi, who had yet to find a coach willing to guide him, expressed his envy. Xu Tan reassured him, sharing some of Lei Cheng's materials and suggesting they learn together.
Teng Biao approached Lei Cheng, subtly offering him tea and initially feigning no particular agenda. He then guided the conversation towards Xu Tan's training plan, acknowledging that Xu Tan's practice on the first three strokes hadn't been ideal. Lei Cheng explained that while Xu Tan was a promising player with many strengths, his main weakness was a lack of offensive play, which was the current trend in ping-pong.
Seizing this, Teng Biao suggested pairing Xu Tan with a player exceptionally strong in the first three strokes to force Xu Tan into an offensive mindset. Lei Cheng quickly realized Teng Biao was proposing that Yu Kenan train with Xu Tan, understanding it was a mutually beneficial arrangement to address Yu Kenan's defensive weaknesses as well, and agreed to the idea.
Lei Cheng explained the proposed joint training to Xu Tan, emphasizing Yu Kenan's strength in the first three strokes and the complementary nature of their playing styles, assuring Xu Tan that both would improve. Xu Tan, however, voiced concern about Yu Kenan's willingness. As expected, Yu Kenan was resistant, complaining to Teng Biao that he refused to train with Xu Tan and felt it was merely a favor to return for the trophy incident.
Teng Biao dismissed Yu Kenan's "junior championships" and reminded him that his goal was to train for winning shots, which required stability. He explained that Xu Tan's strong defense could help Yu Kenan temper his impetuousness and settle down, asserting that Xu Tan possessed many strengths and should not be underestimated.
When Yu Kenan remained unwilling, Teng Biao revealed that Lei Cheng had made a solemn agreement with Fu Chuanzhi: if Xu Tan didn't perform well in the upcoming promotion and relegation matches, Lei Cheng would leave the national team. Initially indifferent, Yu Kenan was called "ungrateful" by Teng Biao, who insisted they must support Lei Cheng and Xu Tan. Convinced, Yu Kenan reluctantly agreed, though he expressed envy for Xu Tan having such a supportive coach as Lei Cheng.
Teng Biao warned Yu Kenan to play seriously against Xu Tan, or he would be sent back to train with the women's team. Before beginning their joint training, Xu Tan and Yu Kenan played an initial match, which Yu Kenan won 11-7. Lei Cheng found the score acceptable, acknowledging their existing skill differences. However, Yu Kenan, despite his win, remarked that Xu Tan, though slow to start, showed significant improvement during actual play.
Lei Cheng added that Yu Kenan also put considerable effort into winning that game. He then dismissed them for lunch, telling them to return for individual training while he and Mr. Teng discussed. Following a demanding training session, Zhang Caiwei approached Yu Kenan to return an item, offering a quick thank you before leaving shyly. Later, Yu Kenan asked Ma Chuan to deliver a box of chocolates to Zhang Caiwei from the fridge, promising to treat him to barbecue.
Yu Kenan specifically warned Ma Chuan not to touch his chocolate. That night, a hungry Ma Chuan, recalling Yu Kenan's warning, decided to eat a piece from Xu Tan's chocolate instead. In the process, he accidentally mixed up the two identical chocolate boxes. The next day, Ma Chuan delivered the chocolate to Zhang Caiwei, who, despite initially declining, accepted it upon learning it was from Yu Kenan.
Her friend noticed a missing piece and discovered a love letter inside, which was clearly a confession of love. Unaware of the mix-up, her friend assumed Yu Kenan was professing his love to Zhang Caiwei. Meanwhile, Xu Tan, also unaware of the mix-up, braved the rain to deliver his chocolate to Lei Lei. He quickly departed before she could open it. Upon opening the box later, Lei Lei was confused to find a pack of ibuprofen and its instructions.
As Xu Tan and Yu Kenan continued their separate training, Lei Cheng instructed Xu Tan on how to counter chop shots, emphasizing focus and not missing any points. Meanwhile, Mr. Zheng continued to neglect Liu Shi's requests for guidance, merely telling him to carry on and implying Liu Shi was going too easy on Fu Jingchun, whom he pushed relentlessly.
Lei Cheng later observed Xu Tan's training in the equipment room with a ball machine and identified a critical psychological issue: Xu Tan performed flawlessly when practicing alone but lost composure when Lei Cheng was present. Lei Cheng explained that being a good player requires excellent psychological quality, tactical skills, and the ability to control the game. He stressed the importance of developing an assertive "aura" to intimidate opponents, instructing Xu Tan to shout "Sa!" after scoring to assert dominance and control the opponent. He urged Xu Tan to try again with this newfound confidence.
