Chapter Summaries

Mizutori Hato expected to reach the final by exploiting Fan Xiaodong’s supposed weaknesses, but Fan overwhelmed him 4–0 with powerful, unpredictable attacks. Mizutori Hato retired in the fourth game after claiming his back injury had flared up.

• Mizutori Hato told his coach he believed the draw gave him a chance to reach the final, reasoning that his style could counter Fan Xiaodong and Xiao Fei.
• Fan Xiaodong decided to punish Mizutori Hato for insulting Wang Chao and opened the match by attacking his short serves aggressively.
• Fan Xiaodong varied his attack placements and spins, preventing Mizutori Hato from anticipating his shots and taking the first game 11–4.
• Mizutori Hato tried changing his serves and then trading attacks, but Fan Xiaodong beat him decisively in the next two games.
• After winning a point with an edge ball in the fourth game, Mizutori Hato raised his hand and retired, claiming his back injury had flared up.

Fan Xiaodong explained that his attacks against Mizutori Hato’s short serves had been risky guesses, but they frightened Mizutori Hato into abandoning those serves and accusing him of cheating. The next day, Lin Zijun and Zhen Jing defeated Zhang Benkuang and Yamano Mia, leaving the mixed-doubles debate focused on whether orthodox coordination or a special style built around individual strengths was superior.

• Mizutori Hato accused Fan Xiaodong of using illegal equipment after losing to him.
• Fan Xiaodong told reporters that he had guessed on his early attacks, and his explanation drew laughter from table-tennis fans.
• Mizutori Hato realized Fan Xiaodong had joined the Chinese players he feared and despaired at having another opponent to avoid.
• Lin Zijun and Zhen Jing beat Zhang Benkuang and Yamano Mia 4:2 after the Sakura Country pair made a string of errors.
• Coaches saw the match as evidence against speed-focused mixed-doubles pairings, and the chapter framed the remaining question as whether system or individual talent should come first.

Wang Chao and Tang Yuanyuan faced Mizutori Hato and Ichikawa Mima in the mixed doubles semifinal, a match that could reshape how coaches approached the event. Mizutori Hato, desperate to restore his reputation and avenge his losses to Wang Chao, chose to receive first as the match began.

• Coaches around the world worried that a Tang Dynasty Combination victory would force them to develop customized mixed doubles systems, while Cai Guodong concealed that Wang Chao had devised the pair’s system himself.
• Mizutori Hato recalled how Wang Chao’s repeated defeats had damaged his reputation in Sakura Country and feared that another poor result could cost him Ichikawa Mima as a partner.
• Mizutori Hato convinced himself that he and Ichikawa Mima were the world’s strongest mixed doubles pair, then vowed to reclaim on the mixed doubles court what he had lost in singles.
• Brother Da Ma and Ye Hongye explained why serving first was usually a disadvantage in mixed doubles, including the receiver rotation and doubles serving rules.
• Mizutori Hato won the coin toss but chose to receive first, leaving Wang Chao and Tang Yuanyuan with the serve; Mizutori Hato planned to receive Wang Chao’s serve himself.

Wang Chao and Tang Yuanyuan took a 2:0 lead over Mizutori Hato and Ichikawa Mima in mixed doubles, with Wang Chao’s increased power disrupting their tactics. Mizutori Hato signaled Ichikawa Mima that he would try a Sneak Long Serve so she could attack first.

• Wang Chao’s power flick scored against Mizutori Hato and Ichikawa Mima, giving the Tang Dynasty Combination a 1:0 lead.
• Tang Yuanyuan sent Mizutori Hato’s short serve deep to his backhand, and Ichikawa Mima attacked with her forehand.
• Wang Chao counterlooped Ichikawa Mima’s attack from close to the table, forcing Mizutori Hato into a weak backhand return.
• Tang Yuanyuan seized the opening and power-looped past Ichikawa Mima to make the score 2:0.
• Mizutori Hato signaled Ichikawa Mima that he would use a Sneak Long Serve and have her attack first.

The Tang Dynasty Combination dominated Mizutori Hato and Ichikawa Mima in the mixed doubles, with Tang Yuanyuan’s power loops and Wang Chao’s precise returns deciding rally after rally. Wang Chao recognized Ichikawa Mima as the key weakness to target, and the score stood at 6:0.

• Mizutori Hato used a deceptive long serve, but Tang Yuanyuan returned it with a spectacular mid-to-long-distance power loop, and Wang Chao countered Ichikawa Mima’s smash with an ultra-long-distance slice.
• Mizutori Hato’s over-the-table power flick hit the net, giving the Tang Dynasty Combination a 3:0 lead.
• Tang Yuanyuan read Mizutori Hato’s next no-spin serve and looped it past Ichikawa Mima to make the score 4:0.
• Ichikawa Mima attacked Tang Yuanyuan’s sneak long serve, but Wang Chao redirected the ball with a quick racket block, and Mizutori Hato failed to save it.
• Ichikawa Mima repeated the same attack, and Wang Chao returned it the same way, bringing the score to 6:0.
• Wang Chao decided that Ichikawa Mima, rather than Mizutori Hato, was the key weakness in Sakura Country’s mixed doubles pair.

Wang Chao and Tang Yuanyuan overwhelmed Mizutori Hato and Ichikawa Mima in the Malaysia Open mixed doubles semifinal, winning 4–0 with two games ending 11:0. The chapter ends with the tournament finals set: the Tang Dynasty Combination will face the Taiwan Island Combination in mixed doubles, while Xiao Fei will meet Bai Feng in men's singles.

• Wang Chao exploited Ichikawa Mima's weak attacks and spin as the Tang Dynasty Combination won the first game 11:0.
• Mizutori Hato and Ichikawa Mima changed the receiving order, but Wang Chao and Tang Yuanyuan controlled the second game and won 11:3.
• Mizutori Hato and Ichikawa Mima broke down and lost the third game 11:0, then managed only two points in the fourth as the Tang Dynasty Combination completed the semifinal victory.
• Xiao Fei defeated Fan Xiaodong in a seven-game singles match after enduring his attacks and using his experience to prevail.
• Bai Feng defeated Lin Li and Lu Feiyang to win the upper half of men's singles, setting a final against Xiao Fei.
• The Malaysia Open finals were set: the Tang Dynasty Combination would face the Taiwan Island Combination in mixed doubles, and Xiao Fei would face Bai Feng in men's singles.

The Tang Dynasty Combination dominated the Malaysia Open Mixed Doubles final against Zhen Jing and Lin Zijun, showing that Wang Chao’s power could overwhelm their defense. Zhen Jing began to question strict doubles discipline, and Lin Zijun supported her decision to adapt even as they fell behind.

• Before the final, Bay Island head coach Jiang Peirong argued that Zhen Jing and Lin Zijun’s discipline gave them a chance, while his comments reignited criticism of the Sakura Country pair.
• Lin Zijun served first, and Tang Yuanyuan surprised the crowd by receiving; she countered his Sneak Long Serve by retreating and looping the ball back from mid-to-long distance.
• Zhen Jing pushed Tang Yuanyuan’s return, allowing Wang Chao to power-flip past Lin Zijun and take the opening point.
• On the next rally, Zhen Jing ignored the expected safe return and blasted the ball, but Wang Chao counterattacked and scored against Lin Zijun to make it 2:0.
• Lin Zijun reassured Zhen Jing that her attacking choice was right, and the pair agreed that adapting beyond orthodox play mattered for their future as a team.

The Tang Dynasty Combination swept Taiwan Island in the Malaysia Open mixed doubles final, and Xiao Fei won the men’s singles title. After returning, Wang Chao and Tang Yuanyuan grew closer through training, while Spade Q finished last in the spring season; in late June, Sun Tianlong asked Wang Chao whether he wanted to play men’s singles at the German Open.

• Wang Chao and Tang Yuanyuan defeated Lin Zijun and Zhen Jing in four games to claim the Malaysia Open mixed doubles title.
• Xiao Fei beat Bai Feng 4:3 to win the men’s singles final.
• Wang Chao and Tang Yuanyuan practiced the five-animal health exercises and became more in sync as partners.
• Tang Yuanyuan struggled in singles and women’s doubles, then ran to Wang Chao and demanded that he take responsibility for her.
• Fan Xiaofan told Wang Chao that Spade Q had finished sixteenth in the spring season with four wins and twenty-six losses.
• In late June, Sun Tianlong asked Wang Chao if he wanted to play men’s singles at the German Open, and Wang Chao questioned whether Old Cai had forbidden him.

Sun Tianlong offered Wang Chao his German Open singles slot and vouched for him to Cai Guodong, helping him pursue an Olympic Games singles place. Wang Chao realized Sun Tianlong put Huaping’s future above clan rivalries and wanted Wang to become the next Grand Slam winner, leaving Wang wondering whether he could face Sun at the Olympic Games.

• Sun Tianlong told Wang Chao that he could compete at the German Open if Sun vouched for him, and Wang asked why Sun was giving up his slot.
• Sun Tianlong explained that Wang was running out of time to qualify for Olympic Games singles and led him to find Cai Guodong.
• Sun Tianlong said Fan Xiaodong could compete without his slot and that he was willing to keep training while making room for younger players.
• Wang Chao realized Sun Tianlong had supported him to benefit Huaping, not to advance the Qinmen Clan or protect his own records.
• Sun Tianlong admitted he feared Wang might beat him at the Olympic Games but said he wanted to win through fair competition.
• Wang Chao recalled his vow never to play Sun again and wondered whether he should face him if they met at the Olympic Games.

Wang Chao secured a Singles place at the German Open and persuaded Cai Guodong to let him pursue two gold medals, with a chance to enter the World Cup qualifiers. As the Chinese team arrived in Germany, Daehan Minguk’s surprise entry and unfamiliar Mixed Doubles pairs raised the stakes, leaving Wang Chao facing a field full of unknown threats.

• Wang Chao convinced Cai Guodong that he could compete in two events and win two gold medals, earning the promise of a World Cup qualifying opportunity if he succeeded.
• Wang Chao drove Tang Yuanyuan through intense Mixed Doubles practice after learning that Sakura Country’s former pairs had split and formed new partnerships.
• Daehan Minguk registered two Mixed Doubles pairs for the German Open, alarming table tennis associations around the world.
• The Chinese team arrived with Wang Chao, Fan Xiaodong, Lin Li, and Bai Feng among its entrants, while Xiao Fei withdrew from the event.
• At the draw ceremony, Wang Chao saw Sakura Country’s new pairs, including Ichikawa Mima and the laid-back Niuwa Xiaoxi.
• He Jingping identified Daehan Minguk’s veteran pair, Kim Bong and Kim Jong, as formidable former champions, while the young pair Xian Youwen and Che Songxin arrived with no known international match records.

The Men's Singles draw placed Wang Chao in section seven, where he would likely face Bai Feng on the way to the quarterfinals. The qualifiers began, and a high-stakes Mixed Doubles matchup between Ichikawa Mima and Niuwa Xiaoxi and the Kim Bong–Kim Jong pair emerged without a livestream.

• The rankings showed Wang Chao in thirteenth place, while Lin Zijun rose to eighth and Xiao Fei returned to second.
• The seeded Men's Singles draw placed Wang Chao in section seven alongside Bai Feng, whose eagerness to face him reflected their rivalry and Olympic singles competition.
• The completed main draw placed Fan Xiaodong in the lower half with Wang Chao, while Lu Feiyang and Liang Kunpeng advanced through the Men's Singles qualifiers.
• Ichikawa Mima and Niuwa Xiaoxi drew Kim Bong and Kim Jong in the Mixed Doubles qualifiers, where only one pair from their group could advance.

Wang Chao studied the footage of Ichikawa Mima and Niuwa Xiaoxi’s match and said he could beat them, while mixed doubles upsets reshaped the tournament and sparked a worldwide rethink of the event’s tactics. The chapter ended with Cai Guodong calling Qin Huachang for advice after Daehan Minguk’s Japanese penhold-and-chopper pairing defeated Taiwan Island 4:0.

• Wang Chao watched the footage of Ichikawa Mima and Niuwa Xiaoxi’s match with He Jingping, Tang Yuanyuan, and Ge Miao, then said he could beat them by playing normally.
• Wang Chao and Tang Yuanyuan, Ichikawa Mima and Niuwa Xiaoxi, and Sissifield and Solga advanced easily in mixed doubles.
• Zhang Benkuang and Hayata Hannah defeated Weng Chunting and Ai Qin 4:0, demonstrating their new attacking and supporting roles.
• Xian Youwen and Che Songxin defeated Lin Zijun and Zhen Jing 4:0, with Xian Youwen attacking and Che Songxin chopping defensively.
• Coaches worldwide began considering Japanese penhold single-ply blade players and choppers for mixed doubles after watching Daehan Minguk’s pairing.
• Cai Guodong asked He Jingping about mixed doubles tactics, then called Qin Huachang for advice.

Wang Chao shifted his focus entirely to his own matches at the German Open and swept his first-round Men's Singles opponent. He prepared for two difficult matches the next day: a mixed doubles quarterfinal with Tang Yuanyuan and a Men's Singles clash with Bai Feng.

• Wang Chao told He Jingping he would concentrate on his own competition, and Tang Yuanyuan happily continued to follow him around.
• He Jingping told Wang Chao about several notable upsets, including Liang Kunpeng defeating Sissifield and Arul eliminating Qiu Shang again.
• Wang Chao swept his Spanish opponent 4–0 in twenty-five minutes, then learned Bai Feng had also won 4–0 and was in excellent form.
• Wang Chao recognized that he would have to beat Bai Feng to reach the quarterfinals and Lin Li to reach the semifinals, with both veterans likely to fight hard against him.
• Wang Chao trained mixed doubles with Tang Yuanyuan and then practiced singles alone, preparing for their quarterfinal against Ichikawa Mima and Niuwa Xiaoxi and his round-of-sixteen match against Bai Feng.

Hou Xijia drew a huge audience as he analyzed the Germany Open mixed doubles quarterfinal between Wang Chao and Tang Yuanyuan and Sakura Country’s Ichikawa Mima and Niuwa Xiaoxi. He revealed that the opposing pair had formidable special skills, then predicted the Tang Dynasty Combination would win by only a 60–40 margin just as the match began.

• Hou Xijia discovered viewers had flocked to his livestream for professional analysis of the mixed doubles quarterfinal.
• He explained how the Tang Dynasty Combination’s success had reshaped mixed doubles strategy and described Ichikawa Mima’s decision to leave Mizutori Hato for a partner with a distinctive specialty.
• Hou Xijia revealed that Niuwa Xiaoxi was known as the Zen Chopper Little Prince for his exceptional side-chops and casual style of play.
• He disclosed that Niuwa Xiaoxi also had Microscopic Precision talent, making him and Ichikawa Mima a double Microscopic Precision pairing.
• Wang Chao won the serve, Ichikawa Mima chose to receive against him, and the match began as Hou Xijia predicted a 60–40 victory for the Tang Dynasty Combination.

Wang Chao and Tang Yuanyuan faced Ichikawa Mima and Niuwa Xiaoxi, whose unusual side cut won the Sakura Country pair the opening point. Wang Chao then used a high-toss serve to deceive Ichikawa Mima and tie the score at 1:1.

• Wang Chao's deceptive Reverse Spin serve was read by Ichikawa Mima, who flicked the ball to Tang Yuanyuan's backhand baseline.
• Tang Yuanyuan returned with a backhand topspin that gave Niuwa Xiaoxi a chance to attack.
• Niuwa Xiaoxi stayed close to the table and used a difficult side cut to send the ball sharply off the side of Wang Chao's table, putting the Sakura Country pair ahead 1:0.
• Hou Xijia explained the difficulty and risk of Niuwa Xiaoxi's side cut, while He Jingping predicted that Wang Chao was about to get serious.
• Wang Chao served a high-toss ball that Ichikawa Mima misread, and the Tang Dynasty Combination tied the score at 1:1.

As Wang Chao and Tang Yuanyuan took control of their mixed-doubles match against Ichikawa Mima and Niuwa Xiaoxi, legendary coach Qin Huachang began livestreaming commentary and predicted nearly every point. By the Sakura Country pair’s timeout, the Tang Dynasty Combination led 6:2, and Qin’s uncanny predictions had stunned viewers.

• Wang Chao’s deceptive serve fooled Ichikawa Mima, undermining her confidence that she could handle his serves.
• Hou Xijia lost viewers after his commentary faltered, then discovered that Qin Huachang had launched a livestream with a prominent homepage promotion.
• Qin Huachang analyzed the doubles match, explaining how Tang Yuanyuan’s retreat and Wang Chao’s counterattacks limited Niuwa Xiaoxi’s options.
• Qin Huachang began predicting the points before they happened, and the Tang Dynasty Combination extended its lead to 6:2.
• The Sakura Country pair called a timeout after Qin Huachang correctly predicted nearly every development, apart from Niuwa Xiaoxi’s remarkable side-cut.

Qin Huachang analyzed Niuwa Xiaoxi’s limited but exceptional Side Cut and explained how Ichikawa Mima’s serves could set it up against Wang Chao. The second game began with the Tang Dynasty Combination taking the first point, before Niuwa tied the score at 1:1 with a sharp Side Cut.

• Qin Huachang praised Niuwa Xiaoxi’s touch but criticized his lack of other skills and ambition, then discussed Ichikawa Mima’s strengths as a doubles partner.
• The Tang Dynasty Combination won the first game 11:4, disappointing Sakura Country fans, who hoped their players would recover in the second game.
• Ichikawa Mima opened the second game with a baseline Bullet Serve, and Wang Chao attacked Niuwa Xiaoxi, whose Side Cut attempt went off his racket for a 1:0 lead.
• Ichikawa served long again, and Wang Chao’s deep forehand loop gave Niuwa the force he needed to return a Side Cut that turned sharply off the table, tying the score at 1:1.
• Wang Chao recognized that Ichikawa was using her serves to limit his attacking quality and give Niuwa a better chance to counter with his Side Cut.

Qin Huachang explained the tactical rotations as Wang Chao and Tang Yuanyuan dominated Ichikawa Mima and Niuwa Xiaoxi in mixed doubles. The Tang Dynasty Combination won 4:0, and Wang Chao later saw a popular post comparing Ichikawa’s tireless movement with Niuwa’s reluctance to move.

• Qin Huachang explained that Wang Chao understood Niuwa Xiaoxi’s side cut but kept attacking rather than changing his style.
• Ichikawa Mima exploited Tang Yuanyuan’s cautious return to score twice during Wang Chao’s difficult serving rotation, giving the Sakura Country pair a 3:1 lead.
• Wang Chao attacked Niuwa Xiaoxi’s transition balls, and the Tang Dynasty Combination equalized at 3:3 before Tang Yuanyuan’s serves helped them lead 6:3.
• The Tang Dynasty Combination repeated their advantage in the remaining games and crushed the Sakura Country pair 4:0 in half an hour.
• Niuwa Xiaoxi produced seven iconic side cuts despite the loss, and a European forum post became popular for contrasting Ichikawa Mima’s constant running with Niuwa’s minimal movement.
• Wang Chao read the post and recalled his earlier doubles pairings with Wu Li and Tang Yuanyuan.

Wang Chao prepared intensely for his men’s singles match against Bai Feng, while commentators warned that Bai Feng was a formidable opponent fighting to keep his place on the Chinese Table Tennis main lineup. The chapter ended as Wang Chao and Bai Feng faced each other on court for what Old Qin called Wang Chao’s first true test of the German Open.

• After Tang Yuanyuan dismissed Bai Feng as an easy opponent, Coach Ge Miao reprimanded her, and she realized Wang Chao’s match might be difficult.
• Wang Chao practiced with Weng Chunting and Sun Zhongwen, while Weng Chunting defeated Wolf 4–1 to reach the men’s singles quarterfinals.
• Bayer, Hook, and Lin Zijun also advanced to the quarterfinals, and Wang Chao took the court against Bai Feng.
• Wang Chao recalled Luo Jiu’s report that Wang Lu had written thirteen pages of notes about him and given them to Bai Feng.
• Old Qin argued that fans underestimated Chinese players and explained why Bai Feng’s experience and desperation made him a serious threat.
• Wang Chao and Bai Feng shook hands before their match as Old Qin declared it Wang Chao’s first true test of the tournament.

Bai Feng began his match against Wang Chao with Wang Lu's advice: study possible responses, then forget the plans so Wang Chao could not predict him. Qin Huachang analyzed the coaches' contrasting styles on livestream, but admitted that Wang Chao's ability to read people made the match difficult to forecast.

• Bai Feng won the serve toss and prepared to serve while recalling Wang Lu's warning not to plan his opening shot in advance.
• Wang Lu had given Bai Feng thirteen pages of possible openings against Wang Chao, then told him to learn them and forget their rules before playing.
• Bai Feng remembered Wang Chao's past victories and his own struggles to keep his place in China's Olympic Men's Singles selection.
• Qin Huachang explained on livestream why internal matches were hard for coaches to prepare for and predicted that Wang Lu might have Bai Feng use defensive counterattacks.
• Qin Huachang decided to call Wang Chao the "Nine-headed Bird" and worried that Bai Feng might be overwhelmed in the match.