Figure Skating: Waltz on Ice

Du Liangchen discovered that although there were more than 100 contestants, there were fewer than 50 men's singles, with the majority being ice dance and women's singles.

These statistics are terrifying. Out of a population of over one billion in China, fewer than fifty children are learning men's singles.

A staff member came in with a notebook and said, "Now, those whose names are called, go onto the ice."

"Liu Wenjie, Sun Shang, Chen Si... Contestants whose names are called, come with me."

Du Liangchen didn't hear his name called. More than twenty people left at once, making the space more spacious. So Du Liangchen went back to his jumping training on his own.

"...Meijing..."

"...Hao Shuxue..."

Grandpa Du watched as batches of people were called away, and fearing that Du Liangchen would be anxious and nervous, he couldn't help but comfort him, "Little Chen, it'll be our turn soon too, don't worry."

"Ah."

Du Liangchen is now resting in a chair; the training he just did was quite physically demanding.

"...Du Liangchen..."

"Xiao Chen, it's our turn," Grandpa Du said as he helped pack up.

Du Liangchen took out his ice skates, put them on, and followed the staff into the ice rink.

After a day of training, we finally returned to the hotel from the competition venue.

Du Liangchen collapsed onto the bed as soon as he got back.

"Ringling..."

"Hello~"

Grandpa Du's phone rang. Seeing that Du Liangchen was resting with his eyes closed, he answered the phone quietly and left the room.

A few minutes later, Grandpa Du came in again.

"Xiao Chen, are you asleep?" Grandpa Du walked to Du Liangchen's side and said softly.

"Grandpa, I'm not asleep, what's wrong?" Du Liangchen lifted his eyelids and looked at Grandpa Du.

Grandpa Du: "It's your uncle on the phone."

"Uncle?!"

Du Liangchen excitedly took the phone.

"Hey?!"

Du Langxing: "Xiao Chen, are you resting?"

Du Liangchen said excitedly, "No, I was just resting with my eyes closed. Uncle, aren't you training? The season is about to start this year."

Du Langxing: "You were training, you're resting now. Your grandfather told me you just got back from the competition today. How were you feeling?"

Du Liangchen: "It's alright."

"The competition is tomorrow, don't be nervous, and don't let external factors affect you. If you really can't control your emotions, put on your headphones and listen to some music to relax..."

Du Langxing gave Du Liangchen a lot of advice. Du Liangchen's performance in the last competition was mediocre, so he trained hard for a year. Du Langxing was afraid that if he experienced failure again, his self-esteem would be hurt.

Du Liangchen nodded in agreement and said softly, "Okay, Uncle, I understand. Don't overwork yourself while you're training abroad. Take plenty of rest and don't put too much pressure on yourself. In my heart, you are the best athlete. We all miss you so much."

Dulangxing: "Okay~ I understand. There are many coaches here taking care of me, as well as a nutritionist. You don't need to worry about me. I'll come back to see you after the season ends."

"Uh-huh."

After hanging up the phone, I had dinner with Grandpa Du and Grandma Du and went to bed early.

The 2016-2017 National Junior Figure Skating Championships have begun.

Du Liangchen and his grandfather entered the venue, while his grandmother went to the audience seats separately from them.

There were very few people in the stands; many seats were empty, and the people sitting there watching the game were the family members of the contestants.

During the few minutes of practice before the competition, Du Liangchen was in very poor condition, and his jumps were not clean at all.

Du Liangchen was in a terrible mood after leaving the field and almost broke down.