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Ping Pong

This show is the selected drama by NRTA

in celebration of the 70th anniversary of the PRC,

and was funded under the 2019 Art Creation of Hubei.

Episode 23

This is a work of fiction. Any resemblance is purely coincidental.

I can't take it. There are exams every day.

There's a new hotpot shop at Lingjing Alley.

Why don't we have a meal there?

Sure.

I am a member of a karaoke in Xidan.

Let's sing after we eat.

Are you going? I'll pay for you.

I have yet to thank you for correcting my English essay.

Yes. Let's go together.

I'm not going.

I'm busy today.

Come on.

Gatherings between us are getting rare.

I'm really not going.

I'll buy you dinner next time.

Sure. We will be leaving.

All right.

Goodbye.

The number you have dialled is currently engaged.

Please call again later.

It's you?

I thought it's Lei Lei.

Lei Lei.

Lei Lei.

I'm just here to tell you

happy birthday.

Thank you.

I'll be going back if there's nothing else.

Lei Lei.

Wait.

I know you are still blaming me.

After all these years,

the gap and misunderstanding between the two of us

cannot be solved

by a few words and an apology of mine.

Don't say that.

I think the thing between us

is not a misunderstanding.

But it's your birthday today.

My baby that I hold dear

has grown up

in a blink of an eye.

A year after I went abroad,

that was the first time where I didn't celebrate your birthday with you.

That night,

I gave you a call.

You cried for a long time

with a hoarse voice.

You said...

You said,

mom,

I don't want a birthday cake.

I don't want dad as well.

I want you to come back, all right?

Since that day,

I no longer have the courage

to call you

on your birthday.

Lei Lei.

I have been wanting to ask you.

After that...

After that, am I still

a part of your birthday wish?

I want to celebrate your birthday with you again.

All right?

What's wrong with Lei Lei?

I told her.

I purposely told her that you will be coming over.

Her mom is back.

She said her mom insisted to take her to dinner.

We were being intercepted.

Fine. We'll just eat on our own.

Eat it before it gets cold.

Thank you.

Try this.

I remember that you love pudding when you were young.

I don't eat these anymore.

Try this.

I've always wanted to have a chat with you.

Not just about the things in the past.

I want to talk about your future plans as well.

You will be graduating from high school soon.

Coming back this time,

I've enquired

a few oversea universities that suit you.

Yes.

Yes.

Yes.

Let's talk about the details at tomorrow's meeting.

All right.

Don't worry about the fees.

I will fully support you as long as you like it.

I don't want to go overseas.

I met your teacher and learnt about your situation.

Going overseas is your best choice.

I don't want to talk about this.

I only promise to have a meal with you.

It's better if you care about your family abroad.

This person

no longer exists.

I'm sorry. I'm going to pick up a call.

All right.

Yes.

My team and I will

check every product thoroughly.

In order to make a good product,

I even bought

a rosehip farm in Chile

just to pick the best fruits

and extract their natural ingredients

to guarantee our product's quality.

We even hired locals

so we can give

our profits from the local resources

back to them.

Sure.

Great.

All right. Thank you.

Someone said

life and career can be separated.

A win-win situation is possible.

Nonsense.

How is that possible?

Let's take a player for example.

He is at his youth

while his athlete career is at his peak.

You have to fight for

your career and profession.

How can he

focus everything on taking care of his family?

That is why if someone wanted

to be a good father,

a good husband,

a good player,

and a good coach,

it's totally impossible.

He can't do everything.

Just take a look at

me and Lei Lei's mother.

The park of Longtan Lake

is so close to the Administration of Sports

yet I couldn't even accompany her to take a walk.

Would she be happy?

She married me

but I couldn't meet her

at all.

I only cared about playing.

No one can accept that.

She didn't want to live her life with me

and left.

What happened to me then?

I couldn't be shameless

and hold her back, can't I?

Kid, that is why

I am a good reference for you.

Never think about personal problems before the age of 30.

Here.

You won't be happy even if you think about it.

What do you mean when you said that

the person no longer exists?

I did fell in love with someone

after I went overseas.

I really wanted to be with him.

But I kept hesitating

at that time.

The main reason is because

I'm afraid that he will treat you badly.

Actually,

I don't know you well, so...

Then...

Why did you choose Lei then?

He is so stubborn.

After we got together,

I realised your father never wanted to give up ping-pong.

I didn't want to give up my career too.

Did you blame Lei?

I did.

But after I went overseas,

I'm someone who went through life and death after all.

I finally understand

no matter how unhappy I was,

they were all my own choices.

Lei Lei, you too.

No matter how you look at me,

I hope you can live a life that's happier and with more freedom.

Regarding studying overseas,

it's because I saw your situation at school

and also your results.

I want to give you more choices.

Actually,

I think Beijing is not bad.

All my friends are in Beijing.

Besides, if I'm not in Beijing,

Lei would have to eat Fried Sauce Noodles for every meal.

I think that's...

No way.

This is the only time that I envy your father.

If you're not in a rush to leave,

just make a wish.

You have no commitment, right?

It's different once you have a family.

Right?

Our Lei Lei, right?

We remember when Lei Lei was born,

I had a match that day.

When I went to the hospital after the match ended,

she was already been born for more than ten hours.

How could her mother be happy?

Long story.

It's a long story.

♫ Sadness used to stab my heart ♫

♫ Shining among a crowd ♫

♫ Will I find the answer tomorrow? ♫

♫ The beautiful eyes will never change ♫

♫ I used to resist my nightmares ♫

♫ Every attempt is an adventure ♫

♫ My shoulder and face that changes slowly♫

♫ The promises I made are slowly fulfilled ♫

♫ Every time I face the sunlight, I want to embrace it♫

♫ It's like a flower of life ♫

♫ Blooming at a dark corner ♫

♫ Asking myself what I've seen ♫

♫ Asking myself what do I need ♫

♫ Progressing against the wind ♫

♫ To create the home of my dreams ♫

♫ They laughed and teased saying that I'm still immature ♫

♫ Happiness is calling me, telling me not to give up easily ♫

♫ A sentence crushed all the lies of those lazy people ♫

♫ Running on an empty beach ♫

♫ And causing layers of waves ♫

♫ Give me your troubles and run forward bravely ♫

♫ Let it go out of the sea and make a shining mark ♫

♫ Offer your greatest sincerity that moves your life ♫

♫ Spread the light in your heart ♫

♫ And sing like children ♫

At my place,

there's nothing you cannot find.

Thank you.

Here.

♫ And sing like children ♫

♫ Leave childish troubles aside ♫

♫ Keep the burning heart ♫

♫ Capturing every moment with the lens ♫

♫ To record every innocent smiling face ♫

Zhang Chen.

Mr. Teng.

How are these two kids' performances?

Played ten, won ten.

I don't think anyone can beat them

in the national second team's double.

Well then, Mr. Teng,

I'll be leaving.

Go ahead.

♫ Offer your greatest sincerity that moves your life ♫

♫ Spread the light in your heart ♫

♫ And sing like children ♫

♫ Become the light that defeats darkness ♫

♫ The last pride of the thorn birds ♫

This time,

the participant list

of the women's team in the Olympics,

does anyone have any objections?

No.

If there are no problems,

it's decided then. Dismiss.

Mr. Fu.

I have something to discuss with you.

Sit.

Mr. Fu.

Regarding the Olympic participant list,

I'd still like to vouch for Cai Wei.

Whether it's her personal skills

or experience in big tournaments,

she has a definite advantage over the new team members.

Our main opponent

in the Beijing Olympics is Team Japan.

We need an athlete who can adapt to a new style.

From the results of the World Ping-pong Tournament,

Zhang Cai Wei lost the match at a decisive game point.

That means she was restricted by her playstyle.

It's also hard to adjust it.

That is why the team has to think about it thoroughly.

But there is still more than a year to the Olympics.

With her skills and attitude,

she will definitely make it.

Those who got great results at the World Ping-pong Tournament in the past

got into the Olympics participant list directly.

Why am I the one who got dropped?

It's different this time.

The team has to consider the best

and the most stable combination.

The country used such good resources to nurture all of you.

In an event like ping-pong,

Getting the silver medal is as bad as losing the event.

None of us can afford to lose

at the Beijing Olympics.

Ji Zhe got the same rank as you

at the World Ping-pong Tournament.

She does have the qualifications to get into the participant list.

You have to understand this.

I do.

But the third-placed player

is decided directly at the semi-final.

If the score is considered,

I had a higher score than her.

I know.

I did mistakes at the tournament.

But the coaching team should not

drop me straight away because of that.

Mr. Wang.

Isn't that unfair?

Cai Wei.

Sit down.

Cai Wei.

You've been in this team for so many years.

You should be very clear about

the team's selection criteria.

When you first entered

the World Tournament,

weren't there

sacrifice and dropping out of former members?

In front of the country's benefit,

both of us

have no choice but to look at the big picture.

But now is still not the time

for me to yield my position, right?

In August,

there will be two invitational tournaments.

Think about it.

International Ping-pong Invitational

Cai Wei, have some water.

It's fine.

There's still the World Cup and the World Championships.

There are many world-class competitions.

Yes.

It's just the national team's selection.

I've experienced it before.

I should've gotten used to it.

Athletes will always

be facing selections like these.

Mr. Ding

showed me some data about Team Singapore previously.

I had no idea.

I've never thought about it at all.

Now, it looks like

I should consider going abroad as well.

It's worthless for me to stay in

the national team anyway.

Nonsense.

The Olympics

is not the only standard to gauge your ability.

Whether I can stand on the podium as a champion or not,

that is the standard.

I know it well in my heart.

You don't have to comfort me.

But it's still better to develop here than abroad.

If you leave now,

you have to start all over again.

I'm different from you.

You still have me.

I'll take care of you.

If you were me,

will you do that?

Increase your power.

Move faster.

Ten.

Nine.

Eight.

Seven.

Six.

Five.

Four.

Three.

Two.

One.

A 70% hit rate.

With your condition,

how can you play a good match?

You've yet to recover

from that minor injury.

How many times have I told you before?

Do another three sets.

If your rate of success is not at 90%,

you have to do another three sets until you pass.

Mr. Zheng.

I want to request for

an adjustment of my training plan.

What?

Every team member has a place in big tournaments.

I was not selected for the World Ping-pong Tournament.

I want to request

to participate in the upcoming open tournaments and tours.

You don't understand what's going on?

Why do you need so many points?

What is your aim?

You don't allow me to participate in Open tournaments.

My results in the Direct Tournament was barely enough to qualify

yet you didn't even

helped me to apply for a place.

Everyone has results to show

except for me.

If you are really capable,

You should be in the top three in the Direct Tournament

and participate directly.

How dare you fight for a place with a result that barely qualifies.

Which one do you have in terms of experience,

qualifications and ranking?

Thinking about the open tournament?

Why am I training you like this?

If you are really capable,

you would've had everything by now!

Can you become the champion with your current condition?

You are nothing!

Good.

Continue.

Mr. Fu.

Stop.

Stop for a while.

After a period of observation

with Mr. Teng fighting for all of you,

the coaching team has decided

to give all of you a final chance of assessment.

It will be on the 6th of August.

The winners move up to the first team.

The losers go back to their respective provincial teams.

Sure. We'll play it.

With whom?

Ye Zhen Xin and Xia Ke from the first team.

Ye Zhen Xin and Xia Ke?

The world champions.

It's all over.

When I first became their training partner,

I couldn't even get a point off them.

I couldn't win against

Ye Zhen Xin even if I play seriously.

Can you stop throwing a wet blanket at this time?

Hurry and give us some pointers.

If we lose this time,

we will not move up to the first team anymore.

Let me say this.

Both of them moved up to the first team together.

Forget about their skills,

Ye Zhen Xin will know the type of serve from Xia Ke

with just a stare of his.

If both of you play against them...

I'm not throwing a wet blanket.

I'm just...

What are you afraid of?

We haven't even played yet. Don't try to curse us.

Thank you.

Do you think

both of them will win?

With the level of Xu Tan and Yu Ke Nan,

they have a chance to win against anybody.

But their opponent is...

You're here?

How did you know it's me?

If I can't recognise your voice,

our special training would've been useless.

You are right.

Have some.

Not bad, Xia Ke.

You didn't drink?

I'm not drinking.

Don't we have a match tomorrow?

Against Xu Tan and Yu Ke Nan.

What do you think of them?

Two inexperienced youngsters.

Just think of it as a warm-up.

I'm telling you, don't underestimate them.

But I heard that

Mr. Fu tied them up

with handcuffs a couple of days ago.

I think they used some special method.

Fu hasn't changed at all after so many years.

That few methods again?

Handcuffs, right?

What's that again?

Pig farm.

Handcuffs.

What else?

That...

Equipment warehouse.

Yes. Equipment warehouse.

The Three Punishments of Fu.

Yes.

But you are the only troublemaker

in the whole national team.

The food couldn't shut you up.

They are the only ones in this generation to get punished.

They have to suffer.

Looks like

Fu thinks of them highly.

But,

I think both of them aren't bad as well.

They have to show me tomorrow

about what Fu see in them then.

Here. Let's teach both of them a lesson tomorrow.

Yes.

Cheers.

Hello.

Are you asleep?

Not yet.

Why aren't you sleeping yet?

Don't you have an exam tomorrow?

I have something

I would like to ask you.

What is it?

Do you think an exam

will decide a person's fate for life?

Is that fair?

How should I put it?

Your exams

are quite similar to our tournaments.

Look.

No matter how hard we trained,

it's still the results of the tournament that counts

But I think

the results aren't the most important thing.

Just do your best.

You too.

Also, the most important thing,

I really feel

your fate

will not be decided by this exam.

So,

you shouldn't pressure yourself too much.

Just do your best.

I understand.

Fine. Sleep early.

Goodnight.

Goodnight.

Do your best.

You can't sleep as well?

Aren't you the same?

I was watching a match.

I'm going to sleep.

Let's have a chat.

I just thought about it.

We shouldn't use

the exchange of offence and defence tactic tomorrow right from the start

If they find out about it,

we won't have anything else to use against them.

Why don't we do this?

We should

feel both of them out.

Wait for the first game.

It's not too late

to come up with a tactic after the end of the first game.

Right?

Can you stop ponder about it blindly?

Fine.

We'll just do as you say.

Don't think about it anymore!

Go to sleep.

If you don't rest well, every tactic will be useless.

2007 National High School Entry Exam Beijing Exam Location

All right.

Everything's here.

Do your own things.

It's fine. Forget about that.

Lei Lei.

Don't think so much.

Take the exam in a relaxed manner.

Going to the exam is the same as playing a match.

When you relax your mentality

and harden your psychological qualities,

you've already won half of the battle.

You will be fine.

I believe you can get a good result.

Go.

I'll be going in then.

It's almost 3 p.m..

Go in.

♫ Toss the ball, blood burning ♫

♫ Every point is shining ♫

♫ I can hear the heartbeat of ping-pong ♫

♫ Forget the pain ♫

♫ Stand up and conquer it ♫

♫ Are you ready, champion? ♫

♫ Keep sprinting ♫

♫ Trying your best just to show the world ♫

No matter what happens,

it's difficult to reach this point of our journey.

Even though this match is very important,

don't be burdened mentally.

Just play an open game.

Although both of you

are the doubles champion of the World Ping-pong Tournament,

both of you

can never be relaxed.

No matter who is your opponent,

just follow play with the intensity

of an international-level competition.

Give everything we've got.

Force them to show all their tricks.

Ye Zhen Xin and Xia Ke.

Three Open Tournament champions

and one World Ping-pong Tournament champion

Up till today,

me and Leng Yi's head-to-head result against them

is nine wins and a draw.

For real?

You've won nine times against them?

They are the ones with nine wins.

Do your best.

Do your best!

Do your best!

Fight them!

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Ping Pong Little Drama

Direct Tournament

Direct Tournament.

Direct Tournament is an elimination tournament

in the national team that selects players

for the World Ping-pong Tournament.

Direct Tournament

is usually separated into two phases.

First is the qualifiers.

Qualifiers

Sixteen players from the men's team

and sixteen players from the women's team.

After intense competition in the qualifiers,

six men and six women players,

a total of 12 players

will be chosen.

These 12 players

will play a final round of competition

with the 12 main players

from the national team.

They are also known as

the World's Greatest Twelve.

The World's Greatest Twelve.

Competition in Direct Tournament is fierce because it involves

the gold medal of the World Ping-pong Tournament.

It has a high viewability

and is a great event

for fans.

An elimination system is planned for

the 2020 Busan World Championships' Direct Tournament

Elimination System

It also planned to add in

the Mixed Doubles event.

Mixed Doubles

According to the new system,

two matches will be played in the first phase.

The first round is a one-on-one match

to decide the six players.

The second round

will decide the final three players who qualify.

The three players in the second phase

will undergo a singles round-robin match.

A player who wins

two times consecutively

will become the champion.

If all three players have wins and losses,

another 11-point match

will be played

to decide

the champion.

Compared to a large-sized round robin,

although the intensity is low,

its contingency is high.

For players,

their fault tolerance is very low.

Using the elimination method system

before an intense match

is to build up a strong mental state

for players

A Strong Mental State

so they can play more decisively.

Play More Decisively

Ping Pong