Qin Lie

Biodata

Background

Qin Lie played tennis for twenty years and competed professionally before joining an overseas sports agency specializing in scouting and signing tennis players. His work gave him experience in sports management, commercial development, and industry networking 32 33.

He is sharply critical of the domestic tennis environment. He identifies limited sponsorship, low prize money, scarce tournaments, and inadequate institutional support as barriers to professional careers. He also condemns organizations that secure promising players through contracts but leave them paying their own training expenses 32 34.

Appearance

Qin Lie is a middle-aged man with an upright bearing and a habitual forward lean, as though ready to chase a ball 32.

• Hair: Very short 32.
• Complexion: Darkish skin 32.
• Clothing: Wears a gray polo shirt when collecting Cheng Che from Hang City East Station; appears in an old T-shirt at home 40 48.

Personality

Qin Lie is blunt and pragmatic, unwilling to present professional tennis as an easy career. Although initially skeptical of Old Chen’s claims about Cheng Che, he changes his judgment after seeing the teenager play. His enthusiasm combines genuine excitement about exceptional talent with an understanding of its commercial potential 32 33 34.

He is competitive and occasionally defensive about his pride. After losing to Cheng Che, he insists that his unsuccessful attempt to exhaust the teenager was “strategic stamina depletion.” His humor also appears in his frequent teasing of Cheng Che’s looks, romantic interests, and attempts to appear cool after matches 34 40 44.

Despite his business ambitions, Qin Lie does not rush Cheng Che into signing a contract. He recognizes the importance of parental involvement and the teenager’s academic options. In Hang City, he takes on a protective role, providing accommodation, managing tournament logistics, and reminding Cheng Che to stay in contact while away from the apartment 34 40 48.

Abilities & Skills

Professional Tennis

Qin Lie retains substantial playing ability from his professional career 32 33.

• Uses fast, flat serves, deep returns, and wide angles to pressure opponents 33.
• Changes tactics during his match with Cheng Che, attempting to control the rhythm and drain the younger player’s stamina through court coverage 33.
• Forces Cheng Che to use his full combination of tennis skills and system-enhanced abilities, though Qin Lie ultimately loses and becomes exhausted 33.

Talent Scouting and Commercial Development

Qin Lie evaluates players through both competitive ability and marketability 32 34.

• Recognizes Cheng Che’s potential for endorsements, advertising, and magazine appearances before their match begins 32.
• Offers access to contracts, training resources, tournament arrangements, and commercial development 34.
• Fields approaches from tennis agents, sports marketing firms, and brands following Cheng Che’s qualifying performances 48.

Coaching and Tournament Preparation

Qin Lie supplies practical guidance and opponent analysis throughout Cheng Che’s National Youth Games campaign 40 45.

• Explains the three-round qualifying process, main-draw group stage, and subsequent knockout rounds 40.
• Identifies hard courts as favorable to Cheng Che’s powerful serve and forehand 40.
• Warns against unverified drinks because of possible problems during drug testing 40.
• Describes Zhou Kaiyue’s strong forehand, weaker backhand, defensive persistence, and standing as the qualifiers’ highest-ranked player 45.

Story Role / Major Arcs

Testing Cheng Che

Old Chen introduces Qin Lie to Cheng Che at the Spring City Sports Center, hoping Qin Lie will help the teenager develop his talent. Qin Lie initially rejects the claim that a high school student with only two months of tennis experience could already surpass Old Chen. Cheng Che’s first powerful serve quickly makes him reconsider 32.

During their match, Qin Lie increases his effort and eventually attempts to wear Cheng Che down. The strategy fails against the teenager’s sustained power, movement, and recovery. After losing, Qin Lie calls him a “monster,” shakes his hand, and acknowledges his strength 33.

Opening a Competitive Path

Qin Lie offers to help Cheng Che become a professional but candidly explains the financial risks. Learning that Cheng Che scored 690 on a monthly examination convinces him that the teenager has unusually strong alternatives outside sport 34.

When Cheng Che asks to test himself in real competition, Qin Lie recommends the National Youth Games and offers to arrange registration. He welcomes Cheng Che’s championship ambition but deliberately leaves contract negotiations aside. After the college entrance examinations, he sends a reminder to arrive on June 27 for qualifiers beginning on June 30 and to maintain his fitness 34 35.

National Youth Games

Qin Lie arranges Cheng Che’s itinerary, collects him at Hang City East Station, and houses him in his apartment’s guest room. He accompanies him to registration and manages the practical side of competing 39 40 41.

Cheng Che’s decisive victory over Zhang Hao leaves Qin Lie eager to find stronger opponents. Before the final qualifier, he briefs Cheng Che on Zhou Kaiyue; after Zhou retires with a right-leg muscle strain, Qin Lie remarks that the defeat may have destroyed Zhou’s desire to continue playing tennis 43 45 47.

Following Cheng Che’s advancement to the main draw, Qin Lie handles calls from companies seeking to recruit or sponsor him. He tells them that Cheng Che intends to attend Peking University and that his parents will not agree to him turning professional 48.

Relationships

• Cheng Che — Initially a scouting prospect and match opponent; later Qin Lie’s player, houseguest, and tournament charge. Their relationship develops into familiar banter, with Cheng Che calling him “Old Qin” and Qin Lie describing himself as his temporary guardian 32 40 48.
• Old Chen — A familiar tennis contact who introduces Cheng Che to him. Old Chen values Qin Lie’s overseas business experience and connections; the two freely exchange jokes about Qin Lie’s defeat 32 34.
• Unnamed daughter — Her habit of playing Yan Ruanning’s music at home makes Qin Lie familiar with the singer despite his own lack of interest in pop music 34.

Notable Quotes

“He's just too outstanding. He has too many choices.” 34

“Just focus on playing. Leave everything else to me.” 40