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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 36

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

You don't say. Brother Ke Nan looks more handsome.

Brother Tan.

Fatty looks quite handsome, too.

You see, they edited your tummy to make you look slim, didn't they?

You're talking nonsense.

This magazine is quite a bestseller.

Everyone seems to have a copy.

Of course.

Our magazine is a hit.

I heard that it broke the record.

Our magazine has never been such a bestseller.

Don't we have Fierce Tiger, Yu Ke Nan?

Are you done eating? Let's go.

Xu Tan, let's train together for a while later.

Sure.

We'll go there first, then.

Treat us to dinner tomorrow night.

You look so handsome in the picture.

Why would I buy you dinner? I'm not Fierce Tiger.

You must treat us to hot pot.

Olympic Champion Successful Defending Champion

It's everywhere.

What?

You feel uncomfortable after seeing it?

One needs to look forward.

Not everyone running ahead

can win at the end.

Do you remember when

I joined the Olympics in 2018?

There were many in my batch

who were outstanding than me. But they retired.

I just feel quite regret.

You see.

I was away for less than two years.

And now there are so many new faces here.

Xu Tan.

You're actually more experienced

than these young people.

There are some who are older than you.

But his body will wear out a lot.

In thinking this way,

you've got a long career.

In my opinion,

for a champion,

age isn't the most important factor to become a champion.

There must be an opportunity to do so.

Keep it up.

I believe in you.

Very good. Here, smile.

All right. Sir, change a pose. Okay.

Here, again.

Very good.

Good. You look so handsome.

Okay, it's done.

Everyone, we've done the photo session.

Let's call it a day.

Thank you.

Ke Nan!

Ke Nan, keep it up!

Keep it up!

Brother Nan, keep it up!

I'm from the sports agency.

You haven't hired an agent, have you?

Here, take a look

and get to know about it.

Let's talk some other time, okay?

Wait, let's talk some time.

Brother Nan!

Don't stop me.

Brother Nan!

Jia Yu and I

have reached each other lately.

And I found out that

he's now the big boss of

Lewen Sports.

You flatter me.

It's just a small business.

I'm not

as brilliant as

these national players who win gold medalists for the country.

Right?

Su Shun.

Since you're out for the day off,

eat up and drink up.

Just relax. Here.

Thank you, Mr Jia.

But I'm not drinking.

There are rules in the team.

We're not allowed to drink during training.

It's okay. Just have two glasses.

Haven't you been bothered by

the fact that the coaches show favouritism towards Yu Ke Nan?

Today, just relax yourself with two glasses of wine.

Hurry up.

Yu Ke Nan.

He's now the seeded player in the team, isn't he?

Mr Jia, you know Yu Ke Nan, too?

You could say that.

Tell him. Do the coaches still play favourites?

Do they show favouritism towards Yu Ke Nan?

I'm fine with Yu Ke Nan.

I've got to hand it to him, he's capable after all.

And there's that Xu Tan.

I have no idea why

the coaches like him so much.

First, it was Lei Cheng. And now it's Fang Yue.

Fang Yue has taught everything he knows

to Xu Tan.

He doesn't care about me at all.

As if he were Fang Yue's only disciple

and we were all outsiders.

All right. Here, let's not talk about him.

Fill up the cup.

Su Shun.

Since you're Su Chang's brother,

you'll be my brother, then.

Me and your brother will help you

achieve your dream.

Here.

-Cheers. -Cheers.

Okay. You remember, then.

No matter when,

we

will take your side.

Who are you?

It's me, Brother Nan.

The one who gave you the name card just now.

I'm sorry. I've gotten into the wrong car.

No.

No, Brother Nan.

I'm your loyal fan.

I liked to play ping-pong when I was young.

Pull over.

Let me be honest with you, Brother Nan.

I came to Beijing this time

to visit you.

Why were you looking for me? Pull over.

Here's the thing.

My friend and I

has opened a sports agency.

Here's what I think.

You're a sports star with personality.

You not only represent our sportsmanship,

but also don't stick to the rules.

We can spend one or two years to market you.

And you'll definitely be Yao Ming in the world of ping-pong.

I'm not interested in joining the entertainment industry.

We're not in the entertainment industry.

We're a sports agency.

Also, since you're so popular now,

don't you want to contribute something

to China's ping-pong industry?

Look at Li Na and Yao Ming.

How popular they are.

One more thing, Brother Nan. To tell the truth,

you're such an influencer.

And you'll have more and more fans.

And more teens will pick up ping-pong

in the future for sure.

In that case,

you team will never say no to it.

And I guess Uncle Yu

will not object to it, too.

It's my business.

My dad has nothing to do with it.

Of course not.

Think about it. Since you're getting more popular,

Uncle Yu's arena business

will boom naturally.

You're his pride.

Should I

ask Uncle Yu to help you decide.

No need.

I'll consider it.

Okay, do consider it.

Give it a good thought.

The Pursuit of Excellence Embracing Victory

I'm laughing at you.

Who are you laughing at?

You're back.

I just came back.

Why did you fell asleep here?

I've been waiting for you.

Waiting for me?

How long have you been waiting for me?

I don't know either.

I haven't overcome the jet lag

ever since I got back from London.

I asked Miss Liu.

She said you went to study in Sichuan.

And I've been in a daze for these past few days.

I heard that you're back today, so I...

I didn't know when you'd be back to the infirmary,

so I came here early to wait for you.

You're so silly.

Your gift.

It...

It's my most favourite hot pot paste.

How did you know?

Thanks.

Where's mine?

I didn't know what gift you liked.

Because what's available in England

can be found in China.

And I didn't know

what those English words meant.

In fact, I did try to pick a gift for you.

I begged Ke Nan and Fatty

to go for shopping. We went to...

But I ended up buying nothing.

Is

your brain made up of stone, too?

So you ended up buying nothing, did you?

I bought this towel.

Actually, I got it for myself.

But you can use it, too.

If you ever

give someone like Fatty a massage,

you just put this towel over him.

Put it over him?

Yes, put it over him.

Fine, thank you.

It's quite a special gift.

Oh yeah. I'm going to eat

at Chang Sheng's restaurant with several teammates.

Come along with me.

We can put this hot pot paste into use.

Me and Chang Sheng will make you all some food.

It's a gathering with your old friends.

I don't think that's appropriate.

What's inappropriate about it?

I'd officially introduce you to them this time.

Officially introduce me?

How would you do so?

As my girlfriend.

You didn't even ask for my opinion.

How did I end up being your girlfriend?

Oh yeah. I'll ask now, then.

Yuan Ran, I like you.

Would you be my girlfriend?

Let me consider it.

I'll be your boyfriend, then.

Actually, I think my fans

are my motivation.

And I've always been thankful for their support.

In the future,

I, Yu Ke Nan,

will try my very best

to show how wonderful national ping-pong is.

Thank you everyone.

Okay, thank you, Mr Yu Ke Nan. Cut.

Let's call it a day.

Thank you.

Thank you. Thank you, everyone.

Thank you.

-Keep it up. -Thank you. Bye-bye.

Unity & Discipline

National Men's Ping-Pong First Team Ranking of Elimination Game

Paris 2013

1. Ye Zhen Xin 2. Leng Yi

3. Zhao Yang 4. Song Min

5. Xu Tan 6. Yu Ke Nan

7. Su Shun

Su Shun won this game.

It's wrongly written.

I'm sorry.

Su Shun

is two points short.

Let me tell you.

Not bad.

You've got the fifth place in just six months.

But you did train quite hard.

Ke Nan

didn't

do quite well this time.

Got it, Master. Rest assured.

I'm keeping an eye on the training plan.

It's okay. I got it.

Hello, Mr Fang.

What are you doing here? You're in a daze.

Hi, your meal is ready.

Mr Fang, I'll get going, then.

Su Shun.

I've watched you train recently.

You've improved. Not bad.

Keep it up.

Thank...

Thank you, Mr Fang.

Go ahead.

I'll have the usual.

Sure.

Su Shun.

You've smiled.

Why do I see you everywhere?

Didn't you realise that you smiled just now?

I told you so.

You must communicate more with your coach.

I heard what Mr Fang said.

"Keep it up. You play well."

You see, he even gave you a thumbs-up.

Didn't he?

Look, you're smiling happily.

Have you gotten over it?

But here's a kindly reminder for you.

Your brother is not reliable.

It's true. He's a bad influence on you.

I advise you not to contact him anymore.

It's true.

Am I right?

Isn't it a good suggestion?

Wait.

I'll eat here.

Do you see this distance?

Don't ever cross the line.

Don't cross the line?

If not,

I'll ask my legendary brother

not to hit the coach,

but you.

Bro.

Eat up.

Don't be mad. Eat up.

I'll go.

Su Shun.

Well,

you want me to stay away from you.

But what do we do if we ever have a game together?

I have a point, right?

If I can't play short court with you,

back court will do, then.

Wait.

Are you trying to pull a trick on me?

Si Heng, the game is over.

How did it go?

How else could it be? Of course I won it.

That's great.

I have good news for you.

What news?

Turn around.

What flavour is yours?

Orange flavour.

Eat it.

I'm so shy.

Can both of you

stop being lovey-dovey

in front of us singletons?

Be careful.

Sister Da Liu.

Have a sweet and you'll stop being sour.

Fine.

Both of you enjoy

your romantic Christmas.

Don't mind me.

Sister Da Liu, how will you celebrate Christmas?

Why would I celebrate it when I'm all alone?

I'm not celebrating it.

Didn't Sister Da Liu ask your master out?

Why is she celebrating it alone?

My master...

Your master must have rejected her again.

Why is Mr Qin like this?

To have Sister Da Liu celebrate this festival alone.

She'd feel so lonely.

I think

my master and Christmas

belong to two different worlds.

It seems that my master's life

has always been revolved around the national team.

You haven't left?

Sister Da Liu, don't go home.

Join me and Stone for dinner.

Let's celebrate Christmas together.

No.

I don't want to be a third wheel.

Sister Da Liu.

Actually,

we don't have any special plan.

Let's just have a meal together.

You can also get to know about Mr Qin.

No one would like to do so. I don't want to get to know about him.

Sister Da Liu.

In the entire national team,

who does Mr Qin spends the longest time with?

Who does he look highly of?

Who does he know best?

All right.

Let's go.

Let's go.

Hurry up.

What about the promised date?

Merry Christmas!

I'm sorry. I didn't know that.

And I didn't prepare anything.

It's okay.

I saw all this coming.

You're just like an idiot who plays ping-pong every day.

And I never take idiots seriously.

What are these?

Aren't they selling

these smelly socks for ten yuan a dozen?

They're very smelly indeed.

No.

The train ticket from Tianjin to Beijing

was too expensive.

Also, I didn't know today's

Christmas Day.

Do you want them?

I do.

Do they look good?

Yes, they look good.

Say you like them.

I like them.

All right.

I'll wear them to win world championships.

Then,

I'll give them back to you.

and share the smell of a champion with you.

No, I don't need that.

I'm afraid I'd pass out from

the strong smell of champion.

Once you've become a world champion,

you'll have to fly all over the world.

I guess so.

In that case,

we can't see each other often.

Wouldn't it be good?

Let me be your assistant.

I'll go wherever you go.

And then we can be together all the time.

Well...

That will do, too.

But if you want to be my assistant, you need to do many things.

Go ahead.

You see.

I train at four.

I need to drink coffee.

Civet coffee. And it has to be fresh.

And here's the thing about us professional athletes.

We don't feel like walking

unless we're in a game.

You have to carry me. Can you do it?

Xu Tan.

Don't push your luck.

Waiter.

I'll go order some food.

Wait a second.

This place is air-conditioned.

You'd catch a cold when you leave it.

Go ahead.

Do you think

our Mr Qin

is not interested in me at all?

What are you laughing about?

I'm laughing because lookers-on see most of the game.

There's nothing wrong with this old saying.

Talk properly. What do you mean?

Even I can see that.

Besides Liu Shi, our ice-cold Mr Qin

treats someone else

in the national team differently.

And that's you, Miss Liu.

Really?

Then why can't I feel it at all?

He never takes the initiative to find me.

Why doesn't he celebrate Christmas with me?

Sister Da Liu.

What do you think about Mr Qin?

On the surface,

he seems cold.

Whenever I see

him sit there

and drink all alone,

I think

he must be very lonely.

Sister Da Liu.

I once heard from Stone that

Mr Qin was never a drinker.

I think

he's been bothered by something serious

and has yet to get over it.

That's why he's ended up like this

and been pushing everyone away.

Perhaps

it's his way to protect himself.

What should I do?

Only after I've gotten together with Liu Shi

did I realise

the hardship of these national athletes.

Take Liu Shi, for example.

He's played ping-pong for ten-plus years.

His body is full of injuries.

And his lumbar

may never go back to

normal again.

But he thinks it's worth it.

Because he really loves ping-pong.

I think

the reason why Mr Qin thinks highly of Liu Shi

is because he must have seen himself

in Liu Shi. Right?

Although I have no idea

what Mr Qin has been through

that he can't recover from it,

but I think

there must be something

that he has yet to get over with.

Sometimes it takes another person

to get oneself out of grief.

Sister Da Liu.

Are you willing to get him out of it?

Liu Shi, she said yes.

Both of you...

Sister Da Liu, don't be mad.

Liu Shi asked me to say those things.

That's right.

Sister Da Liu.

It's all my fault.

I asked Yuan Ran to say them.

Because judging from your interaction with one another,

I thought it'd be great

if you and Mr Qin could get together.

And that Qin always

always keep things to himself.

He's not good at expressing himself.

I think he likes you very much.

Sorry, Sister Da Liu.

Let go.

Step aside.

Sister Da Liu, don't get angry.

All right.

I want to send your ice-cold master some warmth.

I can't make him celebrate Christmas alone.

Sister Da Liu, go for it.

Brother Tan, you got the fourth place this time.

Congratulations. Finally, you've been shortlisted.

4. Xu Tan 5. Ma Chuan

I bet it's a huge blow to Ke Nan.

6. Yu Ke Nan

It'd be nice if both of you got shortlisted.

Stone.

Gather round!

Everyone has worked hard for the competition.

Next, I'd like to announce

the list of participants of Paris World Table Tennis Championships.

For every world championship,

we come up with the list of participants

after the most serious and detailed consideration.

I think everyone should understand that.

Okay, let me announce it.

Ye Zhen Xin.

Leng Yi.

Zhao Yang.

Ma Chuan.

And

Yu Ke Nan.

I hope the participants will work hard

and bring glory to the country.

Okay, dismiss.

Hello, Xu Tan.

Should I congratulate you

for making it into the WTTC list?

I...

I didn't make it.

What happened?

I don't know either.

I'll go to you, then.

No need. I'm all right.

Don't worry.

Okay.

Let's talk again soon.

Master.

I'm aware Xu Tan is lack of experience.

But he got the fourth place

in this direct tournament on his own.

Be it normal training

or the tournament,

he's been the most active in the team.

Taking all this into account,

why can't he join

the Paris WTTC?

WTTC is a very important competition.

Besides the result of direct tournament,

we need to consider other factors.

Techniques and tactics. Competition experience.

Mental quality. We need all three of them.

You're once a top player in the national team.

You should know this better than others.

I do.

So he can't join it?

If he can't,

the team should give me a reasonable reason.

If not, how can I explain to Xu Tan?

That's very simple.

Xu Tan just came back from university.

He got the first place in Universiade.

But he's never won any world championship.

On the other hand, Yu Ke Nan

is already a Grand Slam winner.

In many championships,

he managed to turn the tables on and defeated the foreign opponents.

His competition experience and mental quality

are way better than Xu Tan's.

We're talking about the WTTC.

The team's final decision to let Yu Ke Nan join it

is a very reasonable one.

If Xu Tan wants to reclaim

his place in the national team,

he must prove himself with

more excellent results.

Fine. I got it.

Master, one more thing.

As a teammate,

Xu Tan has been away from the national team for too long.

He needs an encouragement and an opportunity

to get back on his feet.

If you always hold him down and don't let him move up,

he will cease to be determined.

That'd be such a shame.

Don't panic.

You need to

guide Xu Tan slowly.

If you force him to do the impossible

when he's not even ready for it,

he will make the same mistake you did.

2004.

I let you play in the Olympics Games.

In the end, you lost to Park Ji-min in the finals.

Do you still remember what you said?

I do.

And I will never forget it.

You said, the moment you stood at the table,

everything ceased to exist.

All you saw were the five Olympic rings.

You already got so nervous

even before the game started.

You didn't play well at all.

You messed up and lost the game.

Master, I admit it.

I'd never played

such a high-profile game until then.

I got into a daze after entering the arena. My...

My mind went blank.

For a long time since the Olympics,

you got nervous when it came to big competitions.

He didn't play normal at all.

And you always lost to those little-known opponents.

At that time, many said,

"Fang Yue is ruined."

"They should replace him"

"with some other good player."

But I think

that's the team's mistake.

We pushed you into playing a big game

when you're not ready at all.

No. Master, you know?

Back then, I...

I didn't have the right mindset.

My condition was very poor.

But I know

it's you.

It's because you insisted on guiding me

that I got the chance

to avenge my loss

in Beijing Olympics.

That's why

timing is very important

when it comes to many things.

Got it?

Got it.

Sub by iQiyi & Ripped by skysoultan ♔ Follow @skysoultan on Instagram ♔

What did he say?

After comprehensive consideration,

the team still finds Yu Ke Nan more suitable.

After all, your competition, mental quality,

and other aspects are not up to standard.

They said the same thing before I left.

Ping Pong Little Drama

Athletics Rankings

Athletics Rankings of Chinese Table Tennis Association.

In 1995,

with the development of national and international

ping-pong industry,

particularly

with the growing number of international and national

sporting events,

the existing ranking system

had revealed some shortcomings.

And the ITTF

kept revising and improving

the corresponding approaches of athletics rankings.

Scoring Rules of ITTF

In this context

Chinese Table Tennis Association revolved around deepening reform.

By focusing on the development of

national ping-pong industry

making Chinese Table Tennis Association athletes as subjects,

and tightly integrating the situation

in both national and regional teams,

to a certain extent,

the association has adapted

the ranking methods of ITTF.

It's aimed to reflect

an athlete's competitive level accurately and objectively.

The ranking methods

have been revised and perfected.

The authority of association ranking system

is determined by event level.

As for an international competition,

the scoring system

is determined based on

the corresponding events of ITTF.

There are corresponding scoring systems for national events.

For example,

the one that represents the country's highest competition level,

National Games of China.

National Games of China

3000 points for singles champion.

Champion, 3000 Points

2700 points for first runner-up.

First Runner-up, 2700 Points

2400 points for second runner-up.

Second Runner-up, 2400 Points

As for National Championships,

National Championships

2550 points

for singles champion.

Champion, 2550 Points

2295 points for first runner-up.

First Runner-up, 2295 Points

2040 points for second runner-up.

Second Runner-up, 2040 Points

And in order to

encourage as well as strengthen team awareness,

and to promote the patriotism

and collectivism

in Chinese ping-pong team,

the scoring methods

are based on result of

international and national games in the last 12 months.

Beside choosing the athlete with the best result

in singles games,

the result of

one of the teams matches will be included in total score calculation.

Ping Pong