Ping Pong Episode 33 Recap
> Ping Pong Recap
Yu Kenan returned to his dormitory late at night, where Mr Zheng was waiting for him. Mr Zheng urged him to get enough rest to maintain his competitive form, emphasizing the importance of a structured routine, especially with the Paris World Cup fast approaching. Yu Kenan, however, dismissed these concerns, stating he would take full responsibility for his own results and Mr Zheng should not worry.
Mr Zheng countered that as a national team player, Yu Kenan's conduct and performance represented not just himself, but the team, the nation, and the sport itself. Yu Kenan then made a veiled remark about Mr Zheng's reputation for having only successful students and implied that those who had issues were the ones who left for university, clearly referencing Xu Tan. Angered, Mr Zheng demanded that Yu Kenan repeat what he said.
Later, as his teammate Ma Chuan was writing, Yu Kenan told him to stop, suggesting it wouldn't solve anything. When Ma Chuan asked for an alternative, Yu Kenan declared his intention to "change coaches." Ma Chuan then confronted Yu Kenan for going to speak with Mr. Zheng against advice, seemingly indicating Yu Kenan's previous attempts to address his grievances had been futile, reinforcing his desire for a change in coaching.
Meanwhile, Xu Tan's parents in the hospital temporarily no longer required his constant care, leaving him preoccupied with raising money for medical expenses and outstanding debts. On the bus back to school, Wang Siheng pretended to be asleep and leaned on Xu Tan's shoulder. She gently held his hand, which he then firmly clasped back, their unspoken feelings clearly mutual. Though unexpressed, a romantic relationship was established, finally bringing Xu Tan some joy and comfort after recent changes and exhaustion.
Driven by the urgent need to cover his father's medical expenses, Xu Tan, accompanied by Fu Jingchun, met with Mr Zhang of the Guoben Club. Fu Jingchun advised Xu Tan to seek the best possible terms. Mr Zhang reviewed Xu Tan's profile and acknowledged his potential but was hesitant to offer a top player's standard salary due to Xu Tan's lack of experience in the CTTSL and international competitions, proposing half the requested amount instead.
Xu Tan, reiterating his pressing financial situation, proposed an agreement: he would play a few matches for the club, and if he won them all, he would be signed at the main player's standard salary. If he lost, Mr Zhang could determine his annual pay. Soon after, Fu Jingchun contacted Xu Tan, expressing concern over the details of his new contract and asking if he knew who their next opponent would be.
Separately, Ma Chuan called Liu Shi, informing him of Xu Tan's signing that afternoon. Realizing that Tianjin's home game in the upcoming CTTSL season would be against Shanghai, Liu Shi understood that Xu Tan and Yu Kenan were set to face each other. Liu Shi then encouraged Yu Kenan to use this league match as an opportunity to reconcile and talk with Xu Tan, emphasizing the rarity of such friendships in life.
Before the match, the coach announced the lineup, with Xu Tan unexpectedly playing as the first singles player against Yu Kenan. Fu Jingchun was dismayed, pointing out that it was Xu Tan's debut in the Super League and that he hadn't fully recovered his form since leaving the national team, while Yu Kenan was in peak condition.
The coach explained the strategy was a deliberate tactic, a "Tian Ji's strategy," where a win against Yu Kenan would be a miracle, but a loss would be acceptable, allowing them to secure Xu Tan at a lower cost while Fu Jingchun, playing second singles, would be expected to win his match. Fu Jingchun suspected Mr Zhang had orchestrated this plan. Hearing Yu Kenan's name, Xu Tan, with a renewed sense of purpose, declared his readiness to play.
Concurrently, Mr Zheng advised Yu Kenan not to underestimate Xu Tan, who knew his playing style intimately. He stressed the importance of playing steadily in the first three strokes and avoiding recklessness to prevent embarrassment. As the match commenced, both Yu Kenan and Xu Tan were deep in thought, deaf to the outside cheers. Initially, Xu Tan managed to keep pace, even tying the score at one point by patiently waiting for Yu Kenan's errors.
However, Yu Kenan's formidable offense eventually took over, leading him to win the first game with a score of 11-6. During the break, Mr Zheng angrily chastised Yu Kenan for his rashness and for losing six points, reminding him of his earlier instructions. He expressed his profound disappointment that Yu Kenan struggled against Xu Tan, especially with the Paris World Cup so close. Meanwhile, Fu Jingchun advised Xu Tan to conserve his energy.
Coach Feng, acknowledging Xu Tan and Yu Kenan's shared training history, asked Xu Tan about his strategy for the next game, to which Xu Tan replied he would play defensively. In the second game, Yu Kenan quickly broke through Xu Tan's defense. Despite this, Xu Tan soon caught up, engaging Yu Kenan in an intense, back-and-forth battle.
Lin Haozhi and Wang Siheng were visibly excited by Xu Tan's impressive performance after his long hiatus, but Coach Feng remained skeptical, questioning if this was truly the World Champion Yu Kenan's full potential. Guided by a recollection of Lei Cheng's past advice about having the courage to use one's skills, Xu Tan executed a spectacular reverse loop.
The commentator enthusiastically declared it a "reverse loop of the century," celebrating it as a moment that "broke Tiger Yu Kenan's history" and exemplified the daring spirit of Chinese table tennis. Mr Zheng immediately called a timeout and angrily confronted Yu Kenan for losing control of the game's rhythm. He continued to berate Yu Kenan for his poor shots and for failing to defeat a university student who had been advised to leave the national team.
Yu Kenan defiantly countered that Xu Tan had simply played better in that game. He then erupted, accusing Mr Zheng's training methods of causing injuries to teammates like Fu Jingchun (his foot) and himself (his shoulder), implying they were merely sacrifices for Mr Zheng's personal glory and championships. Mr Zheng defended his record, highlighting the success and achievements of his players.
He ordered Yu Kenan back to the table, but Yu Kenan refused, declaring he would rather be suspended or expelled than endure Mr Zheng's coaching any longer, and vowed to have him replaced. The heated verbal altercation escalated, with Mr Zheng physically grabbing Yu Kenan, causing him to fall to the ground. The match was then suspended. Despite the abrupt end, Mr Zhang honored his agreement, and Xu Tan successfully signed the contract as a main player.
Mr Zhang humorously suggested that Yu Kenan might have intentionally lost to help his friend. Xu Tan, however, firmly denied any friendship, confidently asserting that he would have won the match regardless if it had concluded. The public altercation between Yu Kenan and Mr Zheng had severe repercussions, making headlines in sports news. Yu Kenan was suspended from training for a month.
He appealed, pointing out the Paris World Cup was less than twenty days away and that Mr Zheng had initiated the physical contact. However, a senior official, Mr Fu, remained resolute, stating there would be no bargaining as the national team maintained strict impartiality. Yu Kenan was instructed to await notification regarding his return to training. Xu Tan confirmed to Wang Siheng that his father's surgery was arranged, bringing a measure of relief.
However, Xu Tan expressed his profound regret that his match with Yu Kenan had, once again, been left unfinished, mirroring their previous incomplete encounter in the second team. He pondered if he should, ironically, thank Yu Kenan for the contract. Wang Siheng comforted him, assuring him that the incident was entirely Yu Kenan's fault and had nothing to do with Xu Tan.
She encouraged him, saying that as long as he continued to pursue table tennis, he would eventually get another opportunity to face Yu Kenan. Inspired by her words, Xu Tan wondered if he should participate in the Universiade. Wang Siheng enthusiastically supported the idea, telling him it was precisely where he belonged. To further lift his spirits, she playfully revealed that she was the chairman of his National Fan Club.
Later, Coach Feng announced that Han Dong Ming would represent Lvteng Normal University at the upcoming Universiade. Xu Tan approached Coach Feng, expressing his newfound desire to participate, despite his earlier lack of interest. Coach Feng, acting on Lei Cheng's strategy to push Xu Tan, cryptically told him to be patient for his chance. In a phone conversation, Coach Feng voiced his concern to Lei Cheng that their persistent pressure might be counterproductive.
Lei Cheng, however, insisted on "grinding" Xu Tan to the very end, believing he was on the verge of a breakthrough. He acknowledged Xu Tan's improved mental fortitude and drive after the CTTSL match but wanted to see the specific direction of his newfound ambition. Lei Cheng explained that Xu Tan was still missing "one last thing," which he promised to reveal in person.
During a subsequent meeting, Lei Cheng inquired about Xu Tan's father's recovery, which was progressing well and was expected to conclude within a month. He then discussed Xu Tan's league match, praising his performance but noting that it was unfinished and he had only managed to execute one reverse loop. Lei Cheng asked Xu Tan who he thought would have won if the match had been completed.
While acknowledging that both had a chance, Lei Cheng honestly stated that Xu Tan's probability of winning was slightly lower. He then challenged Xu Tan to identify his strengths beyond the reverse loop. Xu Tan described his technique as "all-round" and his forehand as "not bad."
Lei Cheng then pointed out that while Xu Tan's current skills were sufficient for most opponents, against top-tier players like Yu Kenan, his backhand weakness would be immediately targeted and exploited, leading to a decisive defeat. Lei Cheng urged Xu Tan to diligently refine his technique until it became an "invincible fortress," allowing him to control the game at will.
As a specific objective before the Universiade, Lei Cheng instructed Xu Tan to master Yu Kenan's signature backhand banana flip, and to develop it to an even higher quality than Yu Kenan himself. Despite the immense difficulty of the task, Xu Tan agreed to train relentlessly. Lei Cheng then unveiled a "secret weapon" he had tailor-made to aid Xu Tan's training.
