◎ Second update ◎ 

Xu Shengjie had just rejected Hong Saner’s invitation to participate in the sports meeting, but when he returned home, he found himself at the mercy of his wife. 

Liang Baozhen had just soaked her feet; her fair skin was flushed from the warm water. Once her legs and feet were warm, her whole body no longer felt cold. She then lay down in bed, where the bedding was already warm. Xu Shengjie had gone to the factory health station to get an infusion bottle, filled it with hot water, and placed it on the bed. Hugging it, Liang Baozhen felt quite comfortable. 

When Xu Shengjie returned after throwing out the foot bath water, Liang Baozhen finally brought up the afternoon broadcast.

“Did you hear my broadcast this afternoon?” 

“Yes.” 

“What events are you planning to sign up for?” This was Liang Baozhen’s first time participating in the sports event organized by the State Cotton Factory. Unfortunately, she was pregnant and couldn’t really participate. She could only watch from the sidelines and support. However, it was fine since there would still be a representative from their family. “If you participate, you’ll definitely win first place! I believe you can; your impressive.” 

Xu Shengjie was about to say that he would not participate, but after hearing the second half of Liang Baozhen’s words, he suddenly felt he couldn’t say anything more. 

“You want to see me participate?” 

“Yes!” Liang Baozhen had never seen such a large-scale sports event. “Our school used to have sports day, but they were quite simple. I heard the factory’s is different; everyone competes like their lives depend on it for the prizes.” 

Remembering the inside information Huang Cuie had shared with her, Liang Baozhen lowered her voice, “I’ll tell you in secret, the first-place winner of this year’s tug-of-war will be able to draw prizes one by one, and the biggest prize is a bicycle ticket!” 

Mentioning the bicycle ticket made Liang Baozhen’s eyes light up. It was incredibly rare; they only had one bicycle at home, which wasn’t enough. If she could get another ticket, they could save it and eventually get another bike.  

Hearing his wife’s desire for a bicycle ticket, Xu Shengjie nodded, “Then I’ll go and earn you a bicycle ticket!” 

*** 

During the cold spring season, the weather starts to warm up gradually at the end of February. The wind and snow stop, and they begin to move towards the season of blossoming spring. 

Fang Zhibin came to Xu’s house to look for someone. When he entered the room, he saw Xu Shengya doing homework with her back to him. 

He tiptoed in and gently tugged at her braid, “Xu Shengya ~ where’s your brother?” 

“Annoying!” Xu Shengya turned around and glared at Fang Zhibin, then quickly grabbed back her braid and held it tightly, “He went out.” 

“Where did he go?” 

“To play table tennis.” 

“Oh!” Fang Zhibin sighed heavily and sat down on the stool next to Xu Shengya. “Your brother is really crazy. He’s been playing for how long now?”  

Xu Shengya looked up at Fang Zhibin and agreed strongly, “My brother has really changed this time.” 

Whenever he had free time, he would go play table tennis. Except for New Year’s Eve and the first day of the New Year, he rarely played with the other boys in the courtyard, and even Xu Shengya hardly saw him. 

Xu Shengwei’s good friends and sister reached an agreement. He forgets his friends and sister when there’s a ball! 

When Xu Shengwei came back from outside, he was in excited and was looking everywhere for his sister-in-law. Today, he had heard some exciting news. 

“Xiao Ya, where’s sister-in-law?” 

“She’s resting in the room,” Xu Shengya said as she busily placed corn on skewers. 

“Sister-in-law.” Xu Shengwei knocked on the door and entered upon hearing Liang Baozhen’s voice. “Are you busy?” 

Liang Baozhen was sitting on a wooden chair reading a book. She turned around and saw her brother-in-law coming in. She knew he had something to talk to her about. “What’s wrong?” 

Seeing that he was seen through at a glance, Xu Shengwei did not hesitate to ask for help. “Sister-in-law, I want to participate in the city’s youth table tennis competition. Can you help me talk to Grandma and my older Brother?” 

He was worried that Grandma and his older brother would not agree, and he didn’t want to risk having his table tennis paddle confiscated again. 

“Youth table tennis competition?” Liang Baozhen had never heard of this competition. “Where is it being held? When is it?” 

“It’s happening at the end of March, and it’s being organized by the Education Bureau, the Sports Bureau, and the Youth Palace. It’ll take place at Dongshan Stadium!” Xu Shengwei had gathered all the details clearly. 

There are youth table tennis competitions in the city every year, but not just anyone can participate. You need to have some ability. Xu Shengwei has recently met a lot of classmates because of playing table tennis, including senior students and students from other schools. Now he understands what the teacher meant by “table tennis diplomacy” that he mentioned in class, and he might just be experiencing it himself now! 

“Are you worried that Grandma and your brother won’t agree?”  

“Yes!” Xu Shengwei hurriedly took a few steps forward. If he hadn’t had to, he wouldn’t have troubled his sister-in-law, but now his sister-in-law was the only one in the family who could be his support. 

Liang Baozhen hesitated for a moment. Zhou Yun was quite opposed to her grandson playing table tennis all day long. Xu Shengjie’s attitude was unclear, and he didn’t get involved much. However, if it caught his attention, things might not go well for Xu Shengwei. 

“If Grandma gets angry, I’ll feel bad too.” 

“Sister-in-law, what are you afraid of? You’re pregnant!” Xu Shengwei had it all planned out. His sister-in-law was a pregnant woman, and pregnant women were the most vulnerable. How could grandma bear to scold his sister-in-law? 

“So you have already planned everything, right?” Liang Baozhen smiled and raised her eyebrows as she listened to his detailed plan. 

“Hehe.” Xu Shengwei assured again and again, patting his chest to show his determination, “Sister-in-law, don’t worry, if something happens, I’ll definitely not drag you down. I will directly confess and admit my mistakes immediately, and I won’t miss any classes.” 

Liang Baozhen found it hard to argue with her younger brother-in-law and mentioned it to Xu Shengjie that same evening.  

At that time, Xu Shengjie was massaging his wife’s legs. Liang Baozhen didn’t walk as much as before, so her legs and feet would often feel sore. Xu Shengjie would massage her legs occasionally, but his hands were quite strong, and she often scolded him for being too rough. 

“Be gentler,” Liang Baozhen said, leaning against the headboard and teasing Xu Shengjie, who was at the foot of the bed. “Isn’t this what Grandma meant by someone who doesn’t know how to be gentle?” 

“I’m already as gentle as I can be.” Xu Shengjie protested, feeling wronged. He hadn’t even realized he was about to get scolded. It seems like being strong wasn’t always a good thing. 

“Oh, by the way, I need to tell you something, but you have to promise not to get angry first.” 

“What’s going on? Why are you being so mysterious? Is it really worth my anger?” 

“Xiao Wei came to me this afternoon and said he wanted to participate in the city’s youth table tennis competition.” 

“What competition? Middle school students can participate?” Xu Shengjie was aware of some table tennis competitions. In fact, the State Cotton Factory had organized internal competitions before, and his father was quite good at it, having won first place in the factory’s table tennis competition. But youth competitions? 

“Yes, it’s a very official competition. They’re selecting the best elementary and middle school students in the city. The prizes are quite impressive: a set of red Double Happiness table tennis paddles, five red Double Happiness table tennis balls, and ten jin of meat tickets.” 

“Xiao Wei wants to participate?” 

“Yes, he has already found every detail about it. You’ve also noticed that he’s not skipping classes now. He uses his break time to play, and he’s obsessed with it. It’s rare for a child to have such an interest or hobby, so I think it’s not easy for him.” 

Liang Baozhen mainly thought of how Xu Shengwei would later lose his youthful enthusiasm. He had become numb and indifferent, mechanically repeating the same work every day, his eyes filled with exhaustion toward life, as if he had become a different person. 

But now it’s different when he talks about playing table tennis. His eyes sparkled with light. 

“He’s worried you might not agree, so he asked me to mention it first. He guarantees he won’t skip classes at all.” 

“His requirements are quite low.” Xu Shengjie smiled. Other children would set goals like how many points they need to achieve, but his requirement was simple—just don’t skip classes. 

“So, do you agree?” 

“Playing table tennis isn’t a bad thing. Looking at Xiao Wei, he doesn’t really excel in school, so having a hobby is pretty good.” 

When Liang Baozhen heard this, she knew there was a chance! Her face immediately lit up with a smile as beautiful as a rose, and it dazzled Xu Shengjie’s eyes.

“But I have one condition,” Xu Shengjie added. 

*** 

“What?” 

“If you can’t get first place, then don’t play.” 

“What? First place?” Xu Shengwei was extremely surprised when he heard his sister-in-law’s words. His older brother was quite daring. He had inquired about the competition and found that the students in the table tennis class at the Youth Palace were very good. Some of them had practiced for years. How could he possibly get first place?

Xu Shengjie passed by and patted his brother on the head, “If you don’t have the determination to win first place in the competition, then just quit.” 

This was something he learned during his military service: if you don’t have confidence, then don’t participate at all. If you do go, aim for first place—no one should hold back, and no one should back down. 

Xu Shengwei was inspired by his older brother’s words. He stood at attention, relaxed a bit, and saluted. “Comrade Xu Shengjie, then I’ll take first place!” 

“You dare to call me by my full name?” Xu Shengjie rubbed his brother’s short hair fiercely, “You’re getting a bit disrespectful.” 

“Hehe!” 

In the past few days, Zhou Yun has been closely observing Xu Shengwei’s performance. Regarding her grandson, he is someone who keeps his promises; he hasn’t missed a single class. As for participating in competitions, she didn’t interfere. Her only requirement was that he must successfully complete middle school. 

The next day, when Liang Baozhen and Xu Shengjie took Xu Shengwei and Xu Shengya to the Youth Palace for swimming lessons, they also wanted to check on the registration for the citywide youth table tennis competition. There was a registration point at the Youth Palace, which Xu Shengwei had noticed earlier. To register, they needed to pay one yuan and provide a small photo, and a parent had to accompany them to sign for confirmation. 

“Comrade, we want to sign up for the city’s youth table tennis competition. Should we register directly here?” Liang Baozhen asked the front desk of the Youth Palace. 

“Table tennis competition? Registration closed this morning.” 

“Ah? The registration closed?” Xu Shengwei suddenly became anxious and grabbed the edge of the front desk with both hands, looking nervous. 

He clearly remembered that it was said that registration was until today, so isn’t there still half a day left? 

Not many people know about the city’s youth table tennis competition, and even fewer are qualified to participate. In fact, the registration quota has not been full, but there is only half a day left. The educational bureau staff who had been waiting to register had already left, and it was unlikely anyone else would come. Who knew… The receptionist looked at the few people in front of her, surprised that there were actually someone that will register at the last day. 

“Didn’t it say that registration is until today? It’s only a little after one o’clock.” Xu Shengjie patted his brother’s head. “This kid loves playing table tennis and is just hoping to participate in the competition.” 

“Yes, Auntie, beautiful Auntie, can you help me?” Xu Shengwei’s voice became anxious. All he wanted was to compete in the game. 

The female staff member of the Youth Palace couldn’t help but smile at being called “beautiful auntie” but she still shook her head, “There’s really nothing we can do. The person in charge of registration has already left with the registration form.” 

If she had known earlier, she would have persuaded them to stay for half a day but who would have guessed that someone would actually come to register? 

“So we have to wait until next year at this time?” Liang Baozhen asked. 

“Yes, the competition is only once a year.”   

“How long do we have to wait then!” Xu Shengwei sighed heavily, and the light in his eyes faded again.   

Liang Baozhen wanted to ask if there was anything else she could do. According to the details, there was still half a day left, so why had the registration been closed early? 

“Comrade Liang Baozhen?”   

Just as they were talking, someone suddenly walked in from the entrance of the Youth Palace. Liang Baozhen turned around and saw Yang Yan coming in with her son, Zhaozhao, for class. 

“Comrade Yang Yan, Little Comrade Zhaozhao, hello,” Liang Baozhen greeted them and introduced the two to Xu Shengjie, who nodded at them. Xu Shengwei and Xu Shengya had met the mother and son several times before, so they greeted them obediently.   

But Xu Shengwei, feeling down from the earlier setback, appeared a bit discouraged, and his voice was noticeably quieter. 

“Hello, beautiful auntie!” Zhaozhao called out excitedly when he saw Liang Baozhen. 

“What are you doing here?” Yang Yan held her son’s hand and saw Liang Baozhen standing at the front desk with her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, and next to them was a tall and handsome man.   

Liang Baozhen explained the situation with some regret: “They said we can’t register anymore. Look at how disappointed Xiao Wei is.” 

Yang Yan glanced at Xu Shengwei, who indeed looked like a wilted eggplant, slumped and lifeless.