Table tennis: Swinging the racket billions of times, achieving a grand slam

Chapter 365 I know you! You are Chen Jin, the world's number one!

2 month 12 day.

The Lantern Festival falls on the 15th day of the first lunar month.

The sky was overcast and gray in the early morning, with a fine drizzle falling and a chill in the air.

Chen Jin and his son Chen Jianguo each carried large bags of New Year's goods and nutritional supplements, hailed a ride-hailing car, and headed straight for their hometown.

My father-in-law carried an umbrella and, disregarding the wind and rain, stood by the roadside, craning his neck and watching every passing car.

From a distance, it looks like a sculpture.

Fortunately, Chen Jin noticed in time and told the driver to pull over to the side of the road.

As soon as I got off the bus.

Chen Jin called out "Father-in-law" and rushed over to give him a big hug.

"Be good, be good~"

My father-in-law chuckled and said, "Use an umbrella, use an umbrella, don't get your head wet, or you'll catch a cold."

As he spoke, he held the small umbrella over Chen Jin's head to shield him from the wind and rain.

He himself had half his body exposed, his head covered in frost.

"dad!"

After unloading the items from the trunk, Chen Jianguo called out and walked over.

"You're back, why did you buy so much stuff?"

My father-in-law complained, "I'm all alone in the house, so I don't need it."

"If you have a lot of money, save it for Xiaojinzi so she can buy a house in the city later."

Chen Jianguo laughed and said, "I don't have much money. Xiao Jinzi paid for all of these."

"Really?"

The father-in-law's anger turned to joy. He reached out and ruffled Chen Jin's hair, his eyes almost squinting into slits with laughter. "My grandson has made something of himself."

Faced with their father-in-law's blatant double standards, Chen Jin and Chen Jianguo could only laugh it off.

We were just approaching the gate.

Then a loud barking was heard.

"Rolling up the dog!"

Chen Jin shouted.

The words have not yet fallen.

The barking stopped immediately, but through the iron gate, one could still hear the whimpering sounds.

The moment the courtyard gate was pushed open.

A light yellow country dog ​​rushed back, circling Chen Jin, jumping up and down, its tail and rear end wagging like a propeller.

We entered the main room.

The father-in-law took out a brand-new plastic basin and two new towels, poured in hot water, and let Chen Jin and his son Chen Jianguo wash their faces to ward off the chill.

After sitting down and chatting for a while, it was almost noon when my father-in-law got up and went out.

Picking green vegetables in front of the door, digging up tubers behind the house.

Chen Jianguo, not wanting to sit idle, lent a hand to help.

The remaining child, Chen Jin, stood aside, watching the excitement.

"Father-in-law."

Looking at the cherry tree in front of the door, Chen Jin asked, "Does our cherry tree still bear cherries?"

“It grows, of course it grows.”

My father-in-law smiled and said, "Want to eat it this year? If you do, I'll save it for you."

"Cherry isn't an orange, can it be kept alive?"

Chen Jindao.

Moreover, he's currently traveling around competing, and by the time the cherries are fully ripe, he'll probably already be abroad.

"As long as you want to eat it, my father-in-law will find a way."

My father-in-law patted his chest and said.

With the help of my father-in-law and Chen Jianguo, lunch was quickly prepared.

"Today is the Lantern Festival, let's eat a few glutinous rice balls to warm ourselves up."

The father-in-law brought out a bowl of steaming hot glutinous rice balls and placed it in front of Chen Jin, saying with a smile, "Try it, I made it myself yesterday."

"We must give my father-in-law face."

Chen Jin rubbed his palms together.

"Be careful of the burn."

My father-in-law reminded me.

Then, he went to the kitchen.

Together with Chen Jianguo, they served the food to the table.

Chicken, duck, fish, and meat—you name it, they have it.

In an instant, a fragrant aroma filled the air, making one's mouth water.

Looking at the table full of dishes, Chen Jin swallowed hard, a hint of hesitation in his eyes.

As an athlete, with a competition approaching, it's necessary to control your diet, whether eating at home or out.

Especially meat.

The father-in-law seemed to see the worry in Chen Jin's heart and said, "These chickens, ducks, fish and meat are all raised by ourselves. They are not fed with feed and there is no lean meat powder. You can eat them without worry."

"Row."

Chen Jin gritted his teeth and said, "I'll go all out."

"Even if the King of Heaven himself came today, I would still want to taste my father-in-law's cooking."

Having finished speaking.

Pick up a piece of braised pork, put it in your mouth, and enjoy it to the fullest.

"Rich but not greasy."

Chen Jin looked thoroughly satisfied. "You can tell it's my father-in-law's cooking just by tasting it."

"I made this braised pork today."

Chen Jianguo laughed.

"No wonder."

Chen Jin immediately changed his tune, "I knew this braised pork had a bitter taste; the sugar must have been overcooked."

"Hey!"

Chen Jianguo raised his hand as if to slap him, and said with a laugh, "You little brat."

At this moment, the father-in-law took out a bottle of strong liquor from the corner of the main room, along with two small ceramic wine cups, and said to Chen Jianguo, "Have a couple of drinks with me?"

"Have a couple of bites."

Chen Jianguo stood up, took the glass, and filled it with wine.

He drank with his father-in-law.

"This braised chicken with potatoes must be my father-in-law's cooking; it tastes much better than braised pork."

Chen Jin smiled.

"If it tastes good, eat more."

The father-in-law's eyes crinkled with laughter, and the wrinkles on his face smoothed out as he looked at Chen Jin with doting eyes, "From now on, every meal we eat will be one less..."

The speaker is unintentional and the listener is interested.

Chen Jin abruptly stopped chewing, feeling as if he had been pricked by a needle.

She looked up and examined her father-in-law.

I noticed that his white hair had increased considerably since the last time I went home.

For no apparent reason, my nose started to feel slightly sore.

“Father-in-law, you are still in good health and haven’t yet enjoyed the blessings of your children and grandchildren.”

Chen Jin put down his chopsticks, looked around the main room, which was clean but obviously old. "Father-in-law, I want to renovate your house. Now I..."

"Need not!"

Before she could finish speaking, her father-in-law immediately interrupted her, his tone resolute and stubborn, typical of the elderly: "What's the point of renovating? I live alone in this house. How often do you come back? Why waste money like that!"

The father-in-law waved his hand, picked up his chopsticks, and put a chicken leg on Chen Jin's plate. "I still have hands and feet, and I can still work."

"I'll ask for your help when I'm no longer able to do this job."

Hear the words.

Chen Jin wanted to persuade him further: "Father-in-law, don't wait until you can't work anymore, you can start now..."

"Forget it."

My father-in-law interrupted again, his tone leaving no room for argument, "I understand what you mean. I'm used to living in the old house, and I can't sleep at night if I live in other places."

Seeing that the old man was stubborn and knowing his father-in-law's temperament well, Chen Jin said no more.

Just finished a meal.

The rain has stopped and the sky has cleared.

With nothing to do in the afternoon, Chen Jin and Chen Jianguo accompanied their father-in-law on a stroll through the village to digest their meal.

The soil was damp, and the air was filled with the unique scent of the countryside.

The three walked and chatted, mostly about interesting anecdotes that happened in the village.

In the middle of the line.

We turned into a bamboo grove.

An old, dilapidated mud-brick and tile house came into view.

"Isn't this Yan Yuanlin's house?"

Chen Jianguo's eyes lit up. "It's been a long time since I've seen Yan Yuanlin. I'll just have to catch up with him."

Although Yan Yuanlin was a few years older than him, the two were childhood friends.

They went up the mountain to raid bird nests and went down into the water to catch crabs.

They roasted grasshoppers in the rice paddies and caught frogs in the ponds. In previous years, every time Chen Jianguo came back, he would find Yan Yuanlin to chat with.

However, since his divorce from Luo Ling, he has not returned to his hometown for several years, nor has he seen Yan Yuanlin.

"Yan Yuanlin is gone."

My father-in-law couldn't help but sigh, "Both of them are gone."

"what?"

Chen Jin and Chen Jianguo's expressions changed simultaneously. "When did this happen?"

"I've been gone for two or three years."

My father-in-law added, "Last year on the Lantern Festival, Aunt Yan also passed away."

Upon hearing this.

Chen Jianguo froze on the spot.

Unexpectedly, in just a few years, my childhood friend's family has undergone such a huge change.

"What about Yan Yuanlin's three children?"

Chen Jianguo asked.

"When Yan Yuanlin and his wife left, their eldest daughter, Yan Lin, had just been admitted to university. The family had no money, so Aunt Yan borrowed money everywhere to raise enough for tuition, but they were still short of living expenses."

The father-in-law's tone and expression revealed a hint of pity and sympathy, "The second son, Yan Jiewa, was not good at studying. He didn't even finish the third year of junior high school before he ran away to work with someone."

"The youngest son, Yan Jun, lives in the house with Aunt Yan."

“Last year, after Aunt Yan passed away, Yan Jiewa took Yan Jun to the place where he was working.”

Listening quietly, both Chen Jin and his son Chen Jianguo remained silent.

Looking at the dilapidated old house, Chen Jin recalled the scene of playing ping-pong with Yan Jie on the broken cement platform of the village school.

His eyes dimmed considerably.

At this moment.

But then, a cloud of white smoke billowed from the chimney of the old house.

"what?"

Chen Jin asked curiously, "Is someone inside?"

Just as doubts were rising.

Sudden.

A familiar yet unfamiliar figure emerged from behind the house, carrying several potatoes in his hands.

He looked down at the three men.

When he saw Chen Jin, he was first stunned, then his eyes lit up with great joy.

"Chen Jin?!"

The man shouted.

Immediately, he spread his wings like a roc, jumped down from the height, and rushed towards Chen Jin.

"Brother Jie?!"

Chen Jin recognized him as well, and was both surprised and delighted.

"Ha ha ha ha……"

Yan Jie laughed loudly, opened his arms, and wanted to hug Chen Jin.

But, the next second.

He seemed to realize something, immediately stopped, and stood half a meter away from Chen Jin: "When did you get back?"

"I just got back this morning."

Chen Jin stepped forward and put his arm around Yan Jie's shoulder, his face beaming with the joy of reunion. "And you?"

The Yan Jie before me was much darker and thinner than I remembered, but he appeared unusually broad and strong.

"I just got back last night."

Yan Jie grinned, revealing a set of white teeth, "You're pretty good now, kid. I often see your videos on Douyin."

"Back in elementary school, we would spend every day after school at the ping-pong table."

"Back then, I thought you had a talent for table tennis, but I never imagined you would become the world's number one..."

When he got excited, Yan Jie started gesturing wildly.

"Ok?"

Chen Jin's pupils suddenly contracted, "Brother Jie, your right index finger..."

However, it was noticeable that a section of Yan Jie's right index finger was missing.

The wound had long since healed, leaving behind a jarring and conspicuous stub.

"No, it's okay."

Yan Jie's expression changed slightly. He quickly hid his right hand behind his back and forced a smile, saying, "In the factory, there was an accident. I was accidentally crushed by a machine... It's a minor issue, it's all in the past."

He said that, but his somewhat evasive eyes and his feignedly relaxed tone had already betrayed him.

"Brother Jie."

Chen Jin looked serious and stared intently into Yan Jie's eyes. "Although we haven't been in touch for a long time, I still consider you my best brother."

"If you need anything, tell your brother. If your brother can help, he will definitely help."

Yan Jie could no longer maintain his forced smile. He lowered his head, avoiding Chen Jin's gaze, and remained silent for a long time.

The scent of damp earth and the fragrance of bamboo filled the air between the two.

The wind rustled past me.

Half an hour passed.

Yan Jie finally raised his head, only to see Chen Jin's eager gaze.

Deep inside, something seemed to have been shattered.

He pulled Chen Jin aside and whispered, "Actually, it's nothing serious. It's just that the year before last... cough cough, my mother-in-law was diagnosed with stomach cancer... and she needed a lot of money. I had just paid my sister's tuition at the time, and I didn't even have ten yuan in my pocket..."

Yan Jie remained expressionless and spoke calmly, as if he were recounting someone else's story, "I borrowed money from my boss, but he was also having difficulties... cough cough, I really had no other choice, so I... cough cough, put my finger into the machine..."

"what?"

Upon hearing this, Chen Jin was startled and remained in shock for a long time.

Yan Jie shrugged slightly, pinched his nose, and turned his head away: "The boss compensated me with tens of thousands of yuan, although it's still not enough to treat Grandma's illness, but... I've done my best, there's nothing I can do."

He smiled as he spoke.

"Small problems, all small problems."

Yan Jie let out a long breath, seemingly feeling much more relaxed. He grinned and said, "It's just a missing finger, it won't affect my life."

"I'm just worried it'll affect my chances of finding a wife in the future, and no girl will be interested in me, hahaha..."

Chen Jin stood frozen in place, his whole body ice-cold.

The childhood friend in front of me had a dark face, a lean body, and his clothes were already faded from washing.

He was only one year older than him.

It's hard to imagine how much courage a seventeen-year-old boy mustered and how much pain he had to endure to dare to extend his finger toward that cold, heartless machine.

"correct."

Yan Jie lowered his voice, his tone pleading, "I've only told you about this, please don't let my sister and brother know."

"it is good."

Chen Jin let out a long breath.

My throat felt like it was blocked by something, and I almost couldn't utter a single word.

While talking.

Sudden.

A childish voice came from not far away.

"Second brother——"

Looking in the direction of the sound, a little boy, about five or six years old, skipped and hopped out of the old house.

He was also waving a straight-grip ping-pong paddle with frayed edges.

"Xiaojun."

Yan Jie looked at him with doting eyes and said gently, "Run slowly, be careful not to fall."

soon.

The little boy came to Yan Jie's side, hugged Yan Jie's leg, and looked at Chen Jin with his round eyes.

"I know you!"

The little boy suddenly shouted, "You are Chen Jin, the world's number one ping-pong player!"

"what?"

Chen Jin was caught off guard. "Xiao Jun, how do you know me?"

“My brother often watches your matches on Douyin.”

Without the slightest hesitation, the little boy blurted out in a clear, crisp voice.

"is it?"

Chen Jin bent down, a smile on his face, patted the little boy's head, and looked up at Yan Jie, saying, "How about we play a few rounds?"

"what?"

Yan Jie was taken aback for a moment, then smiled wryly, "You're number one in the world now, who can beat you?"

"If you beat me, you'll be number one in the world."

Chen Jin smiled.

"never mind."

Yan Jie raised his right hand, "Look at me, I can't even hold the racket properly..."

Chen Jin hadn't spoken yet.

The little boy said longingly, "Brother, I want to see you play ping-pong."

"alright."

Yan Jie's heart softened, and he finally gave in.

(End of this chapter)