Ping Pong Episode 36 Recap
> Ping Pong Recap
After nearly two years, Xu Tan returned to the national team, where he encountered many new faces and observed the progress of his former teammates, leading to a shift in his own perspective. Despite these changes, Xu Tan remained immersed in his daily training, occasionally contacting Wang Siheng. His primary hope was to secure a spot in the upcoming World Table Tennis Championships.
One day, while his teammates were admiring Yu Kenan's photo on a magazine cover, Fang Yue approached Xu Tan, asking if seeing it made him uncomfortable. Fang Yue advised him to always look forward, sharing his own experience from the 2008 Olympics where many more talented players from his generation retired while he persisted.
Xu Tan reflected on the rapid emergence of new talents in the two years he was away, but Fang Yue reassured him that his experience made him more seasoned, and his career would be longer. Fang Yue emphasized that for a champion, the age of winning is not the most important factor, encouraging Xu Tan with the belief that he would get his chance.
Meanwhile, after winning the Grand Slam, Yu Kenan had become a huge sports celebrity, constantly surrounded by fans and media. During a photoshoot, a short, stout man from a sports agency tried to give Yu Kenan his card, noting he didn't have an agent and wanted to discuss a contract. Later, Yu Kenan got into a car, only to realize his "driver" was the same man.
Unable to leave, Yu Kenan was trapped as the man, claiming to be a loyal fan, began an elaborate pitch. The agent praised Yu Kenan's unique personality and sportsmanship, suggesting he could become the "Yao Ming of ping-pong" if properly marketed, inspiring more young people to play. He even brought up Yu Kenan's father, suggesting the deal would boost his father's arena business. Yu Kenan, asserting it was his own decision, eventually agreed to consider the offer.
Liu Shi, back from London, had been waiting for Yuan Ran at the infirmary door, where he fell asleep. Yuan Ran, who had been studying in Sichuan, found him there and called him silly for waiting so long. She presented him with a gift: her favorite hotpot paste. When she asked for her gift, Liu Shi fumbled, admitting he hadn't bought anything from England because he didn't know what she liked and couldn't read the labels.
He eventually produced a towel, initially bought for himself, which he suggested she could use for massaging others. Afterward, Liu Shi invited Yuan Ran to dinner with teammates at Chang Sheng's restaurant, where he intended to formally introduce her. Yuan Ran expressed discomfort about joining an old friends' gathering, but Liu Shi insisted, declaring she was his girlfriend.
Yuan Ran playfully chided him for not asking her first, prompting Liu Shi to officially confess his feelings and ask her to be his girlfriend. She teased him, saying she'd have to think about it, but then agreed by asking if he could be her boyfriend. Su Shun, feeling overlooked by his coach, Fang Yue, who seemed to favor Xu Tan, met with Jia Yu through his brother Su Chang.
Jia Yu, now a big boss at Lewen Sports, listened as Su Shun aired his grievances, complaining that all coaches, from Lei Cheng to Fang Yue, seemed to like Xu Tan more and teach him everything, leaving others feeling like outsiders. Jia Yu, pretending to be supportive, assured Su Shun that he and his brother would always stand by him and help him achieve his dreams.
Later, in the cafeteria, Fang Yue approached Su Shun and unexpectedly praised his recent training and improved playing, telling him to keep up the good work. Su Shun, though feigning indifference, secretly smiled. Wu Kai, observing this, teased Su Shun, noting his happiness and suggesting he communicate more with his coach. Wu Kai then advised Su Shun to distance himself from his unreliable "Big Brother" (Su Chang), who was a bad influence.
Su Shun tried to object, but Wu Kai, jokingly warning him about crossing lines in their rivalry, quickly diffused the tension. On Christmas Day, Liu Shi and Yuan Ran's plans for a romantic evening were interrupted when Yuan Ran learned Liu Jie was upset because Qin Zhen had rejected her invitation to celebrate.
Yuan Ran persuaded a reluctant Liu Jie to join them for dinner, where she skillfully analyzed Qin Zhen's character, suggesting he had an unresolved emotional blockage that made him push everyone away as a form of self-protection. Yuan Ran shared her newfound appreciation for the sacrifices national athletes like Liu Shi make, noting his love for ping-pong despite severe injuries. She suggested Qin Zhen saw himself in Liu Shi and needed someone to help him overcome his past.
Liu Jie was touched by this insight and agreed to reach out to Qin Zhen. It was then revealed that Liu Shi had orchestrated the entire conversation, asking Yuan Ran to persuade Liu Jie not to give up on Qin Zhen, hoping his friend would finally find happiness. Liu Jie, no longer angry, promptly decided to "bring warmth" to her "ice-cold master." That same day, Wang Siheng arrived in Beijing to surprise Xu Tan.
Unaware it was Christmas, she bought him a pack of inexpensive, "smelly socks" from a street vendor as a gift. Xu Tan jokingly complained about the quality, but Wang Siheng insisted he accept them and declare his liking. He then playfully vowed to wear the socks to win a world championship, offering to share the "champion's smell" with her afterward, an offer she quickly declined.
Wang Siheng expressed concern that once he became a world champion, he would be constantly traveling, making it difficult for them to see each other. Xu Tan, in a characteristic straightforward manner, responded, "Wouldn't that be good?" prompting Wang Siheng to suggest she could become his assistant to be with him daily.
Xu Tan, amused, rattled off a list of absurd demands for his assistant, including fresh civet coffee and being carried everywhere outside the court, causing Wang Siheng to glare at him for pushing his luck. After a period of dedicated effort, Xu Tan successfully rose to fourth place in the national rankings, believing this would secure him a spot in the Paris World Table Tennis Championships.
However, when the list of participants was announced, his name was absent, and the spot was given to Yu Kenan, who was ranked sixth. Wang Siheng called Xu Tan to congratulate him, only for Xu Tan to reveal his disappointment. Fang Yue passionately argued Xu Tan's case to Fu Chuanzhi, highlighting his hard work and strong performance in the direct tournament.
Fu Chuanzhi, however, maintained that for a major event like the World Table Tennis Championships, factors beyond ranking, such as tactical prowess, big game experience, and mental fortitude, were crucial. He explained that Xu Tan, having only won a Universiade championship since returning from university, lacked international experience. Yu Kenan, a Grand Slam winner with a proven track record against foreign opponents, was deemed the safer and more reliable choice.
Fu Chuanzhi further cautioned Fang Yue against rushing Xu Tan, recalling how a similar premature push in 2004 led to Fang Yue's own devastating loss in the Olympic finals to Park Ji-min, a moment that haunted him for years and almost ruined his career. Fang Yue acknowledged his past struggles, crediting Fu Chuanzhi for believing in him and giving him a chance to redeem himself at the Beijing Olympics. Fu Chuanzhi concluded that timing is paramount in a player's development.
Despite the explanation, Xu Tan was deeply disheartened, realizing that the reasons for his exclusion were the same ones he heard two years prior when he first left the national team.
