Chapter Summaries

Bai Feng lost to Morad, deepening doubts about Chinese table tennis as rising international players disrupted its dominance. With Sun Tianlong unable to compete in Sweden, Wang Chao agreed to take his place and accept the championship burden, provided Fan Xiaodong went with him.

• Morad defeated Bai Feng by exploiting his unusual racket and outthinking the Chinese penhold player, leaving Sun Tianlong and Luo Jiu as the only established mainstays still holding their ground.
• Luo Jiu called Wang Chao to confide in him after three Chinese players were eliminated, and Wang Chao saw that Luo Jiu faced Sissifield in the quarterfinals as Chinese table tennis's last representative.
• Cai Guodong called Wang Chao and told him Sun Tianlong's injury had flared up, so Wang Chao would replace him at the Swedish Open.
• Wang Chao agreed to compete in Sweden and shoulder Sun Tianlong's mission of winning the championship, but insisted that Fan Xiaodong accompany him.

Wang Chao arranged for Fan Xiaodong to debut at the Swedish Open, while the China Open quarterfinals saw Luo Jiu, Morad, and Lin Zijun advance to the semifinals. The chapter ended with Lin Zijun earning a medal for Bay Island and Zhuang Huishen angrily mocking Jiang Peirong’s celebratory forum essay.

• Wang Chao persuaded Cai Guodong to send Fan Xiaodong to the Swedish Open, where Wang Chao would also compete.
• Luo Jiu defeated Sissifield in five games by exploiting his predictable power shots and became the first semifinalist.
• Morad beat Weng Chunting 4–2, secured at least a bronze medal, and became the second semifinalist.
• Lin Zijun defeated Pike 11–6 in the deciding game after an hour-and-twenty-minute battle, securing at least a bronze medal.
• Jiang Peirong posted a long essay celebrating Lin Zijun’s success, and Zhuang Huishen responded from an alt account to criticize him.

Bayer lost to Hook, while Luo Jiu swept Morad and advanced to the China Open final. Hook then defeated Lin Zijun, setting up a final against Luo Jiu.

• Bayer fought Hook for seventy-five minutes but lost 3:4 after his stamina ran out.
• The European coaches devised tactics for Morad, but Luo Jiu swept him 4:0 in thirty minutes by adapting He Jingping's system on the spot.
• Luo Jiu prayed for Lin Zijun to defeat Hook so they could meet in the final, but Hook beat Lin Zijun 4:2 after an intense match.
• Lin Zijun left the court thinking about Wang Chao's victory over Sun Tianlong and felt an urge to travel to Jiangcheng City to challenge Wang Chao.

Hook overwhelmed Luo Jiu with disciplined play and extraordinary physical attacks, taking the first three games of the final. With Hook one point from victory, Luo Jiu prepared to try the uncertain method Wang Chao had suggested if defeat seemed inevitable.

• Luo Jiu complained to Wang Chao about Hook’s terrifying form, and Wang Chao told him to try a method only if he truly believed he had no chance.
• Luo Jiu told Wang Chao that He Jingping was angry after discovering that Wang Chao had used his lineup advice as a cursed beacon.
• Hook opened the final by exploiting Luo Jiu’s serve receive and overpowering him, winning the first two games as Rohlskov watched from the sidelines.
• Luo Jiu fought Hook to 10:10 in the third game, but Hook won two extraordinary points and took the game 12:10, leaving Luo Jiu down 0:3.
• He Jingping urged Luo Jiu not to collapse, and Luo Jiu remembered Wang Chao’s advice as Hook held three match points.

Luo Jiu deliberately used repeated net serves and weak returns to disrupt Hook’s rhythm after appearing mentally defeated. Hook’s touch cooled, and he made an easy flick error, leaving Rohlskov uneasy.

• Luo Jiu returned to the court looking dazed, threw the ball to Hook, and received a yellow card for the violation.
• Luo Jiu served five consecutive topspin balls into the net deliberately, frustrating Hook and the crowd.
• Luo Jiu accidentally served a weak ball over the net, but Hook returned it short instead of attacking decisively.
• Luo Jiu hesitated and sent back several weak shots, further draining Hook’s excitement.
• Hook forced himself to flick Luo Jiu’s light return, but hit the ball into the net.
• Rohlskov watched Hook’s sudden mistake and sensed that something was wrong.

Luo Jiu completed a 4:3 comeback against Hook at the China Open by exploiting Hook’s loss of composure, while coaches from China Table Tennis made plans to visit Wang Chao in Jiangcheng City. Online debate then turned to the Swedish Open, where forum users Ye Hongye and 365 wagered over whether Hook would win, unaware that Wang Chao was expected to compete.

• Luo Jiu took the fourth game from Hook with awkward, low-quality shots that disrupted Hook’s rhythm, then won the match 4:3 after Hook continued making errors.
• He Jingping, Zhu Zeshi, Qin Huachang, and Cai Guodong arranged to travel to Jiangcheng City after the China Open ended.
• Wang Chao read forum reactions praising Hook’s defeat and discussing whether China Table Tennis could stop him through strength rather than unconventional tactics.
• Ye Hongye challenged the forum to bet that Hook would win the Swedish Open, and 365 accepted after privately verifying his identity.
• Ye Hongye and 365 each ordered fermented herring for their wager, while 365 relied on his knowledge that Wang Chao would enter the Swedish Open.

Cai Guodong privately asked Wang Chao to assess Qi Hao and learned that Wu Li had an unusual talent that warranted national-team attention. He then tested Wang Chao about Lu Feiyang’s coaching situation, but Wang Chao avoided taking sides and called his teacher after Cai Guodong left.

• Cai Guodong asked Wang Chao whether Qi Hao could be saved, and Wang Chao said Qi Hao needed a complete technical and tactical rebuild under Qin Huachang.
• Wang Chao explained that Qi Hao’s flawed system had been built around his impatience rather than correcting it, while Cai Guodong weighed the risks of rebuilding him.
• Wang Chao showed Cai Guodong videos of Wu Li’s training and described his pressure-driven talent, prompting Cai Guodong to decide to speak with Wu Li about joining the national team.
• Cai Guodong asked Wang Chao about Lu Feiyang and floated Wang Lu as a possible coach, but Wang Chao refused to offer an opinion or take sides.
• After Cai Guodong left, Wang Chao called his teacher and said he could come over.

Wang Chao advised Zhu Zeshi to bring Qiu Yinong back to Chinese ping pong to coach Lu Feiyang, then Wu Li was announced as a Hundred Refinements talent and the story turned to Wang Chao accepting an invitation to a variety show. Wang Chao agreed to participate after reading the rules Hu Buming brought him.

• Wang Chao told Zhu Zeshi that his coaching style did not suit Lu Feiyang and recommended Qiu Yinong, whose experience as a former troublemaker made him a better fit.
• Cai Guodong announced Wu Li as Chinese ping pong's new Hundred Refinements talent, and the news prompted foreign associations to search for similar players.
• Spade Q won one and lost one in away matches, while Wu Li's rapid improvement led more people to call for his entry into the national team.
• Hu Buming visited Wang Chao to invite him to a Xiangnan Province Television variety show, and Wang Chao accepted after reading the program rules.

Wang Chao and Hu Buming arrived in Xingcheng City to appear on Xiangnan TV’s Masked Talent Guessing Game, where their identities would be hidden from the host and panel. The episode began with a lineup of prominent table tennis figures, leaving the audience eager to discover who the masked talents were.

• Wang Chao declined Hu Buming’s offer to teach him how to perform on a variety show.
• Xiangnan TV staff welcomed Wang Chao and Hu Buming and kept their identities secret from the show’s host.
• Teacher He opened the broadcast and introduced Yi Jing as the first guest.
• Teacher He introduced Hou Xijia, whose comeback and National Championship victory had made him a celebrated chopper.
• Wang Wendong joined the panel as the third guest, followed by Xiangnan Provincial Team head coach Li Changzheng.
• Teacher He remarked on the panel’s formidable lineup and wondered who the masked talents would be.

On a masked table-tennis variety show, the guests quickly identified and eliminated Hu Buming and Weng Chunting. They narrowed Robot’s identity to Sun Tianlong but deliberately avoided exposing him, leaving the final expert and the show’s skills challenge ahead.

• Teacher He and the guests questioned World Champion, then identified him as Hu Buming after learning he was an active male National Second Team player selected at the beginning of the year.
• Hu Buming removed his disguise and left the stage as the first expert eliminated.
• The guests questioned Red Rose, and Wang Wendong identified him as Weng Chunting after his penhold forehand revealed his playing style.
• Weng Chunting removed his disguise and left, leaving Robot and White Cut Chicken on stage.
• The guests learned that Robot was an active male World Champion who used a technical style and had lost one match that year.
• Wang Wendong and Li Changzheng privately concluded Robot was probably Sun Tianlong, but Wang Wendong avoided asking a question that would reveal him outright.

Wang Chao and Sun Tianlong disguised themselves as rival contestants on a variety show, while Wang Wendong struggled to identify them. The pair revealed themselves after Wang Chao tricked Wang Wendong into mistaking each of them for the real Sun Tianlong, and the episode ended with laughter and applause.

• Wang Wendong noticed that both the robot and the pale skinny guy walked with a sluggish right leg and held their paddles in a right-handed shakehand grip, leaving him unsure whether either was Sun Tianlong.
• The guests asked both contestants the same questions and put them through increasingly difficult table tennis tests, which both passed perfectly.
• Wang Wendong challenged the pale skinny guy and lost 11–2, then played the robot and lost by the same score.
• Wang Wendong concluded that the robot was Sun Tianlong and identified the pale skinny guy as Wang Chao, explaining how Wang Chao had misled the guests and helped preserve the suspense.
• Wang Chao and Sun Tianlong removed their disguises, and Wang Chao joked that Wang Wendong was past his prime before Wang Wendong joined in the laughter.

Wang Chao’s appearance on a variety show brought him fame and prompted his mother to urge him to find a girlfriend, while Zhu Ding’s erratic performances made him an unpredictable force in the Table Tennis Super League. In early April, just as Wang Chao planned to report to the national team before traveling to Sweden, Qin Huachang arrived with Fan Xiaodong and invited him to Liancheng City.

• Wang Chao’s variety-show appearance earned widespread attention, and Wang Mei called to celebrate her newfound respect in their hometown and press him to find a girlfriend.
• Wang Mei told Wang Chao that Liu Bei had visited her after he rejected Liu Bei, leaving him puzzled about the girl’s intentions.
• Spade Q played three more Super League matches, winning once and losing twice, while Zhu Ding’s team results and performances varied dramatically.
• Zhu Ding defeated Bai Feng 4:0 with an unconventional style, then suffered a 4:0 loss to Luo Jiu and another 4:0 loss to Duan Changying.
• Zhu Ding then dominated Yan Ping’an in singles and doubles, prompting spectators to speculate about his shifting style, which he called “Happy Ping Pong.”
• Qin Huachang arrived with Fan Xiaodong and invited Wang Chao to Liancheng City before Wang Chao could report to the national team and depart for Sweden.

Qin Huachang brought Fan Xiaodong to Liancheng City to openly establish their master-disciple relationship, only to learn that He Jingping had already earned Sister Fan’s trust and quietly supported them. Back at the national team base, Cai Guodong announced that mixed doubles might be added to the Olympics, forcing the team to reconsider its preparations.

• Qin Huachang arrived in Liancheng City with Wang Chao, Geng Shuai, and Fan Xiaodong, then delayed their visit until April 2 because he feared Sister Fan would mistake his confession for an April Fools’ joke.
• At the club, Fan Xiaodong reunited with Fan Pingnan while Wang Chao and Geng Shuai played with the regulars.
• Qin Huachang confessed to Sister Fan that he had coached Fan Xiaodong, but she told him she already knew and explained that He Jingping had reassured her and regularly sent photos of Fan Xiaodong’s training and meals.
• Qin Huachang returned to the capital feeling guilty toward He Jingping, while Geng Shuai went back to River City and Wang Chao continued to the national team training base.
• Cai Guodong told the coaches that the International Table Tennis Federation might add mixed doubles as an Olympic event, which would require Chinese table tennis to adjust its preparations.

Cai Guodong and the coaches settled on Wang Chao as the men’s mixed doubles candidate, believing the historic Olympic gold offered him a route onto the team. He Jingping agreed on Wang Chao’s behalf, only to learn afterward that the decision could obstruct Wang Chao’s goal of competing in men’s singles, while Qin Huachang had hurried the choice to keep Fan Xiaodong from claiming the spot.

• Cai Guodong argued that China needed a dependable mixed doubles pair because the event’s first Olympic gold could affect team morale and the men’s core players were under pressure.
• The coaches praised Wang Chao’s doubles skills and persuaded He Jingping that he should represent the men’s side in mixed doubles, despite Zhu Zeshi’s doubts about the pairing and the experience gap.
• He Jingping accepted the proposal on Wang Chao’s behalf, and Wang Wendong promised to hold a women’s selection trial for his partner.
• After the meeting, Zhu Zeshi explained that Wang Chao had been building his reputation to qualify for Olympic men’s singles, and that He Jingping’s agreement might block that goal.
• He Jingping confronted Qin Huachang, who admitted he had pushed for an early decision because Fan Xiaodong might impress the head coach at the Swedish Open and take the mixed doubles place.

Wang Chao reassured He Jingping that choosing him for Olympic mixed doubles was not a plot against them but a strategic decision that left him competitive for Men's Singles as well. He Jingping reconsidered Zhu Zeshi’s advice, while Wang Chao recognized Cai Guodong’s broader perspective and the strength of He Jingping’s coaching system.

• He Jingping told Wang Chao about the coaching staff meeting and vowed to oppose the mixed doubles assignment, but Wang Chao insisted he genuinely wanted to play.
• Wang Chao listed Zhu Zeshi’s past failures to help He Jingping and argued that Zhu repeatedly led him into trouble.
• Wang Chao explained that Cai Guodong had selected him because he was the best mixed doubles option, and that the assignment did not affect the Men's Singles selection.
• He Jingping accepted Wang Chao’s reasoning and reconsidered his belief that Zhu Zeshi had protected him effectively.
• Wang Chao concluded that Cai Guodong had secured his mixed doubles place without sacrificing his Men's Singles chances, while Qin Huachang’s scheme had failed.

Wang Chao suspected that the Olympics would soon reduce table tennis quotas and wanted to pursue mixed doubles to redeem a past defeat by Sakura Country. On the flight to the Swedish Open, he saw through Qin Huachang’s attempt to lower his guard, concluding that Qin planned to use Fan Xiaodong to defeat him and build a case for Fan’s Olympic selection.

• Wang Chao reflected that mixed doubles and a likely Olympic quota reduction would reshape China Table Tennis, and resolved to compete in mixed doubles to make up for his previous life’s regret.
• Wang Chao, Fan Xiaodong, Liang Kunpeng, and Gao Mingyuan traveled to the Swedish Open as several major international players and three Chinese secondary mainstays withdrew.
• Qin Huachang squeezed into Wang Chao and He Jingping’s row on the plane, praised Wang, and tried to reassure him that he would spare Fan Xiaodong.
• Wang Chao recognized that Qin feared for Fan Xiaodong after the dispute over the young player’s debut, but also suspected Qin was trying to lull him into complacency.
• Wang Chao concluded that Qin was hiding Fan Xiaodong’s abilities and preparing him to beat Wang at the Swedish Open as a step toward an Olympic singles spot.

Wang Chao arrived in Sweden for the Swedish Open as the draw revealed how much attention his rising status had earned him. The chapter ended with reporters competing for an exclusive interview, and Wang Chao choosing the German journalist.

• Wang Chao and the Chinese team arrived in Stockholm, where the women's young talents watched him because one of them would eventually partner with him in Olympic mixed doubles.
• Wang Wendong arranged an internal round robin after the Swedish Open to choose Wang Chao's mixed doubles partner, and the young players were told a gold medal would strengthen their chances.
• The live draw placed Wang Chao in Section Eight with Mizutori Hato, who dreaded facing him after their Hong Kong Open grudge; Morad entered Section Six, and Qiu Shang entered Section Two.
• The qualifiers drew attention when the fifteen-year-old Fan Xiaodong appeared under Qin Huachang's guidance, prompting comparisons with Lu Feiyang's earlier debut.
• German and English reporters and Brazilian journalist Tavares competed to interview Wang Chao, who chose the German reporter on a first-come, first-served basis.

Wang Chao arrived at the Swedish Open after sleeping in and watched the qualifiers, where Fan Xiaodong, Liang Kunpeng, and Gao Mingyuan secured places in the main draw. Ge Miao then recruited him to help the women's team prepare for Ichikawa Mima, and Wang Chao agreed to imitate her backhand short-pips style.

• Tavares interviewed players about who could stop Hook, and most predicted Hook would win the Swedish Open.
• Wang Chao arrived at the venue and saw that Fan Xiaodong had qualified after winning two matches 4–0.
• Liang Kunpeng and Gao Mingyuan also qualified, prompting their coaches to celebrate their progress.
• Ge Miao asked Wang Chao to spar with the women's team because they needed to prepare for Ichikawa Mima's distinctive playing style.
• Wang Chao borrowed an imitation racket and impressed the young players by reproducing Ichikawa Mima's backhand flicking form.

Wang Chao spent the day practicing with the women’s team before the Swedish Open main draw began, where several notable upsets and matchups emerged. The Round of 16 started with Lin Zijun defeating Arul, while Fan Xiaodong faced Sissifield amid widespread doubts about his form.

• Wang Chao imitated Ichikawa Mima’s backhand flick and practiced with the thirteen women’s team players, all of whom had qualified or entered the main draw.
• Arul defeated Qiu Shang 4:1 with relentless forehand attacks, earning the crowd’s applause and Wang Chao’s admiration.
• Lin Zijun defeated Liang Kunpeng 4:3 after adapting to Liang Kunpeng’s tactical changes, and Chen Taolue was pleased with Liang Kunpeng’s performance.
• Most seeded players advanced in the first round, while Fan Xiaodong struggled against a weak opponent before winning four straight games.
• Lin Zijun beat Arul 4:1 in the Round of 16, then realized he was likely to face Hook next.
• Sissifield began his Round of 16 match against Fan Xiaodong as spectators widely expected him to win.

Fan Xiaodong overcame his slow start to overwhelm Sissifield and advance to the Swedish Open quarterfinals, while Zhang Benkuang and Li Zhengzhi also advanced. The chapter ended as Morad and Wolf began a high-stakes match over which nation would lead European table tennis.

• Fan Xiaodong lost the first two games to Sissifield, but Qin Huachang stayed calm because he expected Fan Xiaodong to warm up.
• Fan Xiaodong unleashed his power in the third game, won it 11:5, and then dominated Sissifield in the next three games to win 4:2.
• Zhang Benkuang defeated Fretas and joined Fan Xiaodong in the quarterfinals.
• Li Zhengzhi advanced from his group after facing no strong opponents.
• Morad faced Wolf in a match that European fans viewed as a contest for Europe's table tennis legacy.