Chapter Summaries

Cheng Che registered for the National Youth Games and drew online attention, including a challenge from fellow competitor Zhou Kaiyue. Yan Ruanning arranged time off to watch Cheng Che compete, while Cheng Che ignored the online taunts and prepared for his first match.

• Qin Lie took Cheng Che to breakfast before driving him to the Hang City Sports Center, where Cheng Che registered for the tournament and received shirt number 91.
• Zhou Kaiyue photographed Cheng Che and decided to use his fame to attract attention, while his coach warned that tennis was too niche for a win to make him trend.
• Yan Ruanning asked assistant Xiao Zhou for time off to watch the games, and the director approved it after Cheng Che's participation became a trending topic.
• Zhou Kaiyue posted a public challenge hoping to face Cheng Che in the qualifiers, prompting a flood of online praise, criticism, and debate.
• Cheng Che declined Guo Xin's offer to respond to Zhou Kaiyue and prepared his equipment before studying a recording of last year's tournament.

Cheng Che arrived at the tennis qualifiers after using the last of his Perfect Eye Drops, drawing a crowd with his appearance and powerful presence. He opened his match against Zhang Hao with a serve so fast Zhang Hao could not move, then focused on the next point.

• Cheng Che used the last of his Perfect Eye Drops and surprised Qin Lie with his appearance and physique.
• Qin Lie showed Cheng Che Zhou Kaiyue's easy win and heard Zhou Kaiyue say he wanted to face Cheng Che.
• Cheng Che entered Court Three, attracting attention from the spectators and the livestream audience.
• Cheng Che served past Zhang Hao before he could move, leaving the court stunned.
• Cheng Che activated Total Concentration as Zhang Hao prepared for the next point.

Cheng Che dominated Zhang Hao in the qualifying match, finishing with an ace after overwhelming him with powerful serves and precise shots. After Zhang Hao conceded that Cheng Che belonged in the main draw, Cheng Che left the court promising the reporters they would see him there.

• Cheng Che opened the match with four aces and held his serve to love, leaving Zhang Hao struggling to return the ball.
• Cheng Che continued to control the match as Zhang Hao tired, while spectators and viewers watched his performance and Cheng Jianguo, Jiang Xue, Guo Xin, Su Qingyue, Lin Xiao, and Zhao Lei followed the livestream.
• Cheng Che sealed the match with an ace down the T, and Zhang Hao told him he should be waiting in the main draw rather than playing qualifiers.
• Cheng Che told Qin Lie that he was loosened up, and Qin Lie decided he needed to find him stronger opponents.
• Cheng Che told reporters, “See you in the main draw,” then headed toward the players' tunnel.

After winning his match, Cheng Che invited Yan Ruanning to eat, but a delay in replying left her thinking he had forgotten her. They cleared up the misunderstanding by phone and agreed to meet after his qualifying matches, with Yan Ruanning promising to watch him again.

• Qin Lie teased Cheng Che for acting tired and trying to look cool after his victory.
• Cheng Che found Yan Ruanning’s photo of him playing and invited her to a meal, then got caught up in calls from his family and Guo Xin.
• Yan Ruanning accepted the invitation but, after waiting twenty minutes without hearing back, told Xiao Zhou to drive her to the filming location.
• Cheng Che noticed Yan Ruanning had replied and called her, apologizing for missing her message.
• Xiao Zhou joined the call, and Cheng Che agreed to take both women out after he reached the main draw.
• Yan Ruanning told Cheng Che she would come watch him again, then counted the two days until the qualifying rounds ended.

Cheng Che prepared for his final qualifying match against Zhou Kaiyue, whose experience and ranking made him a widely favored opponent. With Court Five packed with spectators eager to see Cheng Che, he activated Total Concentration as the match was about to begin.

• Cheng Che checked his trial progress and online reactions, then dismissed praise that doubted his readiness for professional competition.
• Cheng Che won the second qualifying round with little effort, and organizers moved his match with Zhou Kaiyue to the larger Court Five because of the crowd.
• Qin Lie told Cheng Che that Zhou Kaiyue was considered more experienced, while Cheng Che saw Zhou's Weibo post challenging him to prove himself on court.
• Yan Ruanning sent Cheng Che a photo of the packed stands and told him she had found her seat.
• Cheng Che walked onto Court Five to loud cheers as Zhou Kaiyue steeled himself to return his serves and force long rallies.
• Cheng Che focused on Zhou Kaiyue, activated Total Concentration, and vowed inwardly to knock him back to reality.

Cheng Che dominated Zhou Kaiyue in the opening game, countering his serves and tactics with a series of decisive shots. After winning the game without conceding a point, Cheng Che returned to the court determined to make the match a shadow over Zhou Kaiyue’s life.

• Zhou Kaiyue opened with a wide serve, but Cheng Che returned it for a backhand winner down the line.
• Cheng Che lured Zhou Kaiyue to the net with a short slice, then volleyed his attack past him.
• Cheng Che returned Zhou Kaiyue’s fastest serve with a forehand winner to reach love-forty.
• Zhou Kaiyue roared and risked another wide serve, but Cheng Che sliced the return between his legs to win the opening game.
• Qin Lie warned Cheng Che not to relax, and Cheng Che said he still had two more games to play.

Cheng Che overwhelmed Zhou Kaiyue in their qualifier match, which ended when Zhou retired with a right-leg muscle strain, sending Cheng Che into the main draw. After completing the second stage of his trial and earning new rewards, Cheng Che learned Yan Ruanning had to leave and planned to visit her filming location without telling her.

• Cheng Che dominated Zhou Kaiyue in the second game, and Zhou’s shaken serve and inability to keep up left him unable to continue.
• Zhou Kaiyue retired after a doctor diagnosed a muscle strain in his right leg, and Cheng Che advanced to the main draw.
• Cheng Che completed Stage Two of the Stamina Trial and received the talent Form Moves as the Mind Wills and Perfect Skin Quality Body Wash.
• Cheng Che spotted Yan Ruanning in the stands, but she messaged that she had to leave for an urgent production-team matter.
• After learning the main draw would not start for five days, Cheng Che asked Xiao Zhou for the filming location and told her not to tell Yan Ruanning.

After Cheng Che went to play tennis, Yan Ruanning struggled through filming at the Mushroom House and wished she could be with him instead. Cheng Che arrived at the courtyard and called to her, leaving everyone stunned by his appearance.

• Qin Lie told Cheng Che that sports companies had called to recruit him, but Cheng Che reaffirmed that he planned to attend Peking University.
• Cheng Che got ready, messaged Yan Ruanning that he was going to play tennis, and headed out while she complained about having to film the show.
• At the Mushroom House, Yan Ruanning fed the chickens, startled a rooster, and wished she could go watch Cheng Che play tennis.
• Cheng Che arrived outside the courtyard and called Yan Ruanning, drawing the attention of the cast and crew.

Cheng Che visited Yan Ruanning at the Life Slowed Down set, where the director invited him to appear in the evening livestream for a fee of 150,000 yuan after tax. Cheng Che agreed to stay, and he and Yan Ruanning set off to shop for the livestream.

• Cheng Che arrived at the set and reunited with Yan Ruanning beneath a tree while the crew filmed them.
• Yan Ruanning introduced Cheng Che to Teacher Huang and the other cast members, then walked with him around the village as they talked about his tennis matches and driving lessons.
• The director asked Yan Ruanning to invite Cheng Che to stay for filming and the evening livestream, and Cheng Che accepted after learning his fee would be 150,000 yuan after tax.
• The cast members avoided the shopping task, so the director sent Yan Ruanning and Cheng Che to buy supplies for the livestream.
• Yan Ruanning and Cheng Che rode out of the village in a three-wheeled cart as the cameraman filmed them.

Yan Ruanning and Cheng Che went into town with the production crew to shop at a market, where Yan Ruanning bargained for groceries and later picked out clothes for him. They returned to the village by tricycle, with Yan Ruanning quietly watching Cheng Che as the countryside passed by.

• Xiao Zhou met Yan Ruanning and Cheng Che at the village entrance, and the crew disguised themselves before taking them into town.
• Yan Ruanning bargained for tomatoes and selected vegetables while Cheng Che carried the groceries; people at the market began recognizing and watching them.
• A young woman approached Cheng Che for a photo but lost her nerve after meeting his eyes, and Yan Ruanning led him out of the market.
• Yan Ruanning took Cheng Che to a clothing shop, rejected two outfits, and bought him a fitted black shirt, cardigan, and cargo pants.
• Yan Ruanning and Cheng Che rode back to the village on a tricycle, and she recited a poem in her thoughts while watching him.

Cheng Che helped prepare lunch at the Mushroom House, impressed the others with his cooking skills and tennis talent, and joined the evening livestream. His appearance and brief greeting sent the audience into a frenzy, leaving him an instant hit with viewers.

• Yan Ruanning and Cheng Che returned to the Mushroom House with groceries, and Cheng Che helped Teacher Huang prepare lunch.
• At lunch, Cheng Che told Teacher He and the others that he had reached the main draw of the Hang City qualifiers for the National Youth Games after only a few months of tennis practice.
• Cheng Che chopped wood and did other farm work before sitting beneath a locust tree, where Su Jianqiu reassured him about the livestream.
• Cheng Che decided he might sing during the livestream and let Yan Ruanning straighten his clothes before filming began.
• When Teacher He introduced Cheng Che on the livestream, viewers flooded the comments with praise for his looks, and his greeting sent the audience into another frenzy.

Cheng Che appeared on the “Life Slowed Down” livestream, drawing a huge audience and helping the hosts promote the show. He then sang “The Wind Rises,” stunning everyone in the courtyard and leaving the livestream viewers demanding more.

• Cheng Che’s fan group rushed to watch the livestream, and his appearance sent the viewer count and Weibo topics soaring.
• At the director’s request, Cheng Che invited viewers to ask about the show, and Teacher He explained why Cheng Che was visiting Yan Ruanning at the Mushroom House.
• Yan Ruanning sang, Su Jianqiu performed a folk dance, and Teacher Huang and Teacher He delivered a comedy bit.
• When viewers asked Cheng Che to perform, he agreed to sing “The Wind Rises” despite Teacher He’s concern.
• Cheng Che’s captivating voice silenced the courtyard and overwhelmed the livestream comments with praise.

After Cheng Che’s moving performance ended the livestream, he and Yan Ruanning went for a walk and began a dance lesson beneath a locust tree. Cheng Che quickly learned the steps and invited Yan Ruanning to dance with him, leaving them turning together in the moonlight.

• Cheng Che finished singing, earning enthusiastic applause from the guests, crew, and livestream viewers.
• After the livestream ended, Yan Ruanning invited Cheng Che to walk with her, and they went to the village square beneath a locust tree.
• Yan Ruanning challenged Cheng Che to dance and offered to teach him a partner dance.
• Cheng Che quickly learned the steps and led Yan Ruanning through the rest of the song without stepping on her feet.
• Cheng Che invited Yan Ruanning to dance again, and she accepted as they turned beneath the tree in the moonlight.

Cheng Che left the Mushroom House and spent four days training with Qin Lie before the main draw began. He entered the tournament determined to win the championship, while his first opponent, Zhu Junchi, planned to end the match quickly.

• Yan Ruanning saw Cheng Che off from the village, and Su Jianqiu teased her for watching him leave.
• Qin Lie discovered Cheng Che had appeared on “Life Slowed Down” and told him his guest appearance had attracted heavy online attention.
• Cheng Che and Qin Lie trained at the Hang City Sports Center for four days, with Cheng Che recovering unusually quickly between sessions.
• At the main draw briefing, Qin Lie explained the tournament format and identified Zhu Junchi as Cheng Che’s first opponent.
• Before their match on outer court two, Zhu Junchi told his coach Cheng Che was difficult to outlast and said he would finish him in one blow.

Cheng Che faced professional player Zhu Junchi in the National Youth Games group stage and activated [Total Concentration] as he prepared to play. He returned Zhu Junchi’s powerful opening serve with an astonishing one-handed backhand, leaving Zhu shaken and forced to rethink his strategy.

• Lin Ming attended Cheng Che’s match with his girlfriend and was stunned by Cheng Che’s looks in person.
• Cheng Che activated [Star of the Court] and [Total Concentration] before the match, sharpening his senses and reading Zhu Junchi’s stance.
• Zhu Junchi opened with a fast, wide serve, but Cheng Che returned it down the line for the first point.
• The commentators and spectators were astonished by Cheng Che’s precision, while Zhu Junchi fell during his failed attempt to reach the return.
• Zhu Junchi picked himself up, recognized Cheng Che’s exceptional coordination, and abandoned his original plan to wear him down.

Cheng Che lost the first set to Zhu Junchi while studying his opponent’s varied shots, then changed pace and dominated the remaining sets to win the match. Afterward, he looked toward the tournament’s center court, leaving his next step ahead.

• Zhu Junchi used deep, wide shots and changing spins to disrupt Cheng Che’s rhythm, winning the first set six-four.
• After telling Qin Lie he had seen enough, Cheng Che raised his pace and won the second set six-three despite briefly getting broken.
• Cheng Che won the deciding set six-one, overpowering an exhausted Zhu Junchi and taking the match by a score of six-four, four-six, six-one.
• Cheng Che praised Zhu Junchi’s strength after they shook hands, then watched the center court before leaving.

Cheng Che defeated Zhu Junchi after losing the first set, while Yan Ruanning and others watched the match. Afterward, Cheng Che turned down racket endorsements for now and prepared to face a defensive opponent in the next round.

• Yan Ruanning watched Cheng Che lose the first set, but Su Jianqiu reassured her that he had been observing his opponent.
• Cheng Che raised his pace in the second set and won the match against Zhu Junchi, six-four, four-six, six-one.
• Su Qingyue celebrated Cheng Che's victory on the beach, and her mother teased her about shouting his name in her sleep.
• Cheng Che told Jiang Xue he wanted his parents to rest from running their breakfast shop, and Jiang Xue and Cheng Jianguo decided to travel to Hang City to watch him play.
• Guo Xin congratulated Cheng Che and said he had bought a ticket to Hang City for the next week.
• Qin Lie told Cheng Che that two companies had offered him racket endorsements, but Cheng Che postponed considering them until after the tournament and learned his next opponent specialized in defense.

After Cheng Che won all three group matches and advanced to the knockout stage, his parents and Guo Xin joined him for a celebratory meal. Federer announced he would watch if Cheng Che reached the final, leaving Cheng Che eager to show him his game.

• Cheng Che defeated Chen Bai with varied placement and finished the group stage undefeated, advancing to the knockout rounds.
• Cheng Che signed autographs for fans outside the sports center, then spotted Guo Xin and his parents waiting for him.
• Cheng Che, his parents, Guo Xin, and Qin Lie celebrated over hot pot while Guo Xin teased Cheng Che with an embarrassing story.
• Qin Lie showed the group a video from Federer's official account in which Federer praised Cheng Che and said he would watch the final in person.
• Cheng Che realized Federer might see him play and welcomed the chance.

After two days sightseeing with his family and Guo Xin, Cheng Che entered the knockout stage and faced leading young player Lu Yunxiao on Court One. As the crowd gathered and Cheng Che felt his form rising, the match was about to begin.

• Cheng Che spent two days touring Hang City with his parents, Guo Xin, and Qin Lie, while Guo Xin posted photos of him online.
• Cheng Jianguo and Jiang Xue encouraged Cheng Che before the knockout stage, and he promised to bring them good news.
• Cheng Che met Lu Yunxiao before their match, and Lu Yunxiao praised his talent but warned that he relied on it too much.
• The commentators introduced Cheng Che and Lu Yunxiao as the tournament’s most anticipated matchup, and the crowd erupted when Cheng Che entered Court One.
• Yan Ruanning and Su Jianqiu watched from the stands, while Su Qingyue saw Cheng Che play in person for the first time.
• Cheng Che felt his palm grow hot and sensed that he was in excellent form as the match was about to begin.

Cheng Che struggled against Lu Yunxiao’s precise, grinding play and lost the first two sets despite adapting his tactics. As Cheng Che sensed a weakness he could not identify, Flash of Inspiration triggered.

• Lu Yunxiao wore Cheng Che down with deep, carefully placed returns and won the first-set tiebreak 7–4.
• Cheng Che used drop shots and net approaches to take a 3–0 lead in the second set, but Lu Yunxiao adjusted and recovered to win it 6–4.
• Qin Lie, Yan Ruanning, and the Su family discussed Cheng Che’s predicament as commentators and viewers criticized his performance.
• During the break, Cheng Che focused on the subtle flaw he sensed in Lu Yunxiao’s shot patterns.
• Flash of Inspiration triggered in Cheng Che’s head.