Love is as simple as badminton.

Chapter 5 Alas, poor old Lin... hiss?

What does running for an hour mean?

A class at Xiangda University is only 45 minutes long, plus a 10-minute break, making it 55 minutes in total. It's like running from the first class to the second class.

This intensity would be a piece of cake for athletes, but it would be quite challenging for amateur enthusiasts.

Lin Xiang didn't expect his senior to finish the race. He planned to stop when she was in good condition, since this wasn't a professional team training camp.

To his surprise, Shi Yuqi's performance was actually quite good.

Although he was breathing heavily, his rhythm remained steady.

Do you run regularly?

Lin Xiang noticed that her running form was also quite scientific.

"Yes! I'll probably go for a run two or three times a week at night, about three to five kilometers each time."

Shi Yuqi responded, and Lin Xiang saw a few drops of sweat being thrown behind him, disappearing into the track.

"My former partner said I was too physically fit and that playing with me was boring, so I used this method to train more."

"But she's really good, and she was quickly selected for the school team. After that, she never asked me to play again, probably because she was busy."

"I'm a little surprised that someone as talented as you is willing to mentor me, haha."

Lin Xiang replied without hesitation: "Whether we are strong or weak is not important; what matters is our attitude."

"Uh-huh."

Shi Yuqi nodded, controlled her breathing and stride frequency, and continued running steadily.

Before I knew it, my hour-long jog was over.

The sun peeked over the mountains, and Lin Xiang led her through a few more simple stretches. It was 8:05 a.m., and the formal training session was about to begin.

"How does it feel?"

On the way back to the stadium, he asked.

"I'm a little tired, but it's quite comfortable."

Shi Yuqi seemed thoughtful. "Should I run faster next time?"

"No need, this feeling is just right."

Lin Xiang shook his head.

"Basic training rarely pushes you to your limits; it's all about gradual improvement. Getting too tired will push you out of your optimal heart rate zone, which will actually reduce the effectiveness of your training."

He explained in detail the biological and chemical logic behind physical fitness improvement, and why less-than-maximum training can lead to faster progress.

Then she talked about how hard work should be done scientifically, telling her how to make up for lack of talent through diligence, and how to make even seemingly useless efforts move her...

Shi Yuqi listened attentively while jotting down key points on her phone's memo app.

She also takes time to learn some knowledge in her spare time, but mainly she watches instructional videos on ball skills. She doesn't know much about things like physical fitness.

On the one hand, I don't have enough energy to cover everything, and on the other hand, I have no clue where to start.

Both of them are liberal arts students, but the junior has achieved this! No wonder he can become a master.

"By the way, shouldn't we test my skill level first, and then prescribe the right treatment?"

Seeing him go to get his racket, Shi Yuqi also picked up hers.

"Of course we need it. But the previous one was enough."

As Lin Xiang spoke, he took a new ball out of the ball bucket.

According to his observation, the senior student's skill level was between the upper level 2 and the level 3 of the Chinese Badminton Championships.

She has a basic grasp of various techniques, but there are quite a few minor flaws in the details. Her ball control is lacking, and she has some noticeable technical weaknesses. Her physical fitness is stronger than the average girl, but it's still a weakness relative to her level.

With enough time and practice, becoming an amateur expert is more than achievable.

"We just finished training your basic physical fitness. Next, I'll guide you through net play, followed by high clears. Once you've expended some energy, improving your ball control through short ball practice will make high clears much more effective."

Lin Xiang stood on one side of the court as he spoke.

"100 reps per set, 10-second rest between sets, 10 sets in total, then rest for 15 minutes."

"OK!"

Shi Yuqi immediately went to stand on the opposite side of the court...

As badminton has evolved, various playing styles have emerged.

But the players all noticed that it was precisely in the small area in front of the net that so many successes and failures were determined.

This is the most delicate battlefield in badminton, demanding extremely high levels of concentration, feel for the ball, and even mental fortitude from the players.

Those tennis stars whose net play is full of imagination are all hailed as artists.

Even though they are no longer in the martial arts world, their legends still live on.

However, for Shi Yuqi, the current goal is to hit a decent drop shot while staying in one place.

She had tried practicing before, but it was mostly based on luck. Besides, it was just a hobby, so she didn't try to understand it thoroughly.

This was the first time she had received such meticulous one-on-one instruction, so she studied very hard.

"despair!"

"Slow down, control it with your fingers."

"despair--"

"It means slowing down the movements, but striking quickly."

"despair."

"You're feeling better. Don't dodge around, try to control the angle of the ball."

Lin Xiang would send her tennis balls. He'd wait for her to return the ball to him, and then return it to her.

His ball control is nothing short of magic: no matter how far or fast the ball comes, he can make it roll over the net perfectly without wasting any extra height.

In contrast, Shiyuki's returns have a Brownian trajectory beauty: sometimes they fly high, sometimes low, and only occasionally can she hit one or two barely passable shots.

If you play like this in actual combat, it's no different from giving points to your opponent.

Shi Yuqi seemed to be deep in thought, and tried to hit a good net shot like him, but every time she tried to control the ball, the ball would not listen to her and hit the net several times in a row.

None of the first five attempts were successful, which was quite dismal.

"It's okay, allow yourself to make mistakes."

Lin Xiang nodded in satisfaction.

"Making mistakes in training is a good sign."

"A good sign?"

"If you're just going to hit the ball over there, you'll never be able to hit a higher quality shot."

It seems to be going smoothly, but in reality, it's just staying in your comfort zone and making no progress.

Going down the net means you're looking for a better angle and pressure to get closer to the net, stepping out of your comfort zone. Skill improves through mistakes.

Although none of your shots went over the net, you were consistently getting closer to that optimal point, and that's progress.

"Okay, I understand."

Shi Yuqi calmed down and continued to focus on her practice.

finally--

"despair"

The 22nd shuttlecock in group 6 grazed the net. Its tail feathers touched the net tape, tumbling and falling like snow-white petals.

"One has been made!"

Shi Yuqi clenched her fist.

"nice shot."

Lin Xiang casually reminded him, "Focus on the power and angle of this shot."

"Uh-huh!"

On her 49th shot, Shiyuki hit the net again. She had successfully hit the net twice in this set.

In the next group, she took it a step further and succeeded in 5 out of 7.

Group 8 dropped to 3, while Group 9 remained at 3.

However, she didn't dwell on the success rate and focused on controlling the ball and finding her feel for it, following Lin Xiang's advice.

Unexpectedly, the last group performed the best, succeeding in a total of 9 shots, including two consecutive shots.

"Good, we can rest now."

Lin Xiang rarely uses words of praise.

"call--"

Shi Yuqi took a deep breath, pulling herself out of that flow-like state, and belatedly felt a slight soreness in her forearm.

Looking at the net so close to her, she was suddenly overwhelmed with indescribable emotions, as if she had crossed a stream she had never been to before.

"Junior!"

"Um?"

"I've practiced this before, but the results weren't ideal."

My friend told me to "find the feeling," but I've never been able to quite grasp that feeling.

"You're so detail-oriented! Every time you point something out, I immediately know where the problem lies."

Don't be too happy yet.

Lin Xiang frowned slightly.

"Although your performance just now was indeed very good, practicing is like rowing against the current. You have to persevere to truly improve any skill."

"Yes, the coach is right!"

Shi Yuqi nodded seriously in response, and looking at his earnest and straightforward appearance, she couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time.

"By the way, junior, could you please wait a moment? I'm preparing for today's event, I'll be right back."

"OK."

It's 8:30 now. After watching his senior leave, Lin Xiang thought for a moment and added two and a half minutes to her rest time.

If she gets busy with other things, she won't be able to fully recover in the meantime.

Of course, he wouldn't be idle either—this small portion of his time is perfect for a dynamic plank exercise.

Practicing anytime, anywhere is the secret to badminton pros.

Then, after he had barely held on, a shadow swayed over from afar.

"So fast?"

He looked up, somewhat surprised.

However, what caught the eye was not the pleasing senior, but Xu Yue's round face and cross-eyed eyes.

He was still sticking his butt out, and from this angle looking up, it looked as if there were only two legs below his head.

Lin Xiang's vision went black, and he almost collapsed to the ground.

"What? So fast? A man can't be too fast!"

Xu Yue let out a devilish laugh, "Why are you doing a plank, Lao Lin? Didn't you say you were going to have a very important battle with your senior?"

Lin Xiang slowly stood up after counting down the hours: "It's over."

"How did it go?"

"Of course I won."

"No...who cares whether you won or not."

"Didn't you ask me for the results?"

"That's not the result we expected!"

Xu Yue wore a disappointed expression, "Didn't anything else happen after that? Did everyone just go home after the game? You should have seized this great opportunity!"

"Alright, stop listening to Xu Yue's nonsense."

Zhao Hao stepped forward and pushed him aside. "The court for the social event should be right here. We haven't filled all the spots yet. If you're free, why don't you join us?"

"Come on, Teacher Lin!"

Jin Xin, standing behind, whispered encouragingly, "You get a lot of attention from the girls in our class; that's an advantage!"

Lin Xiang's gaze then passed over Jin Xin and lingered for a moment on the three female students in class 123.

Although it was only the beginning of the semester, he happened to know all three of them:

The shortest girl is named Chen Zi. With her big eyes and bun hairstyle, she looks very energetic and has a lively personality. A few days ago, she was elected as the temporary class monitor in the class group.

The girl next to him with the jellyfish-shaped haircut is named Gu Qingqing. She exudes an artistic vibe and seems aloof at first glance due to her serious demeanor. In reality, she is very easygoing and warm-hearted. Lin Xiang had seen her volunteering and busying herself with various tasks when he was reporting for the company.

Hao Wenmin, standing next to Xu Yue, had a real class beauty vibe; not only was she pretty, but her fashion sense was also excellent. Unfortunately, as Xu Yue's fellow townsman and high school classmate, Ms. Hao's good looks were largely masked by her accent…

There's another girl named Chen Lan in room 123 who didn't come. She's Chen Zi's twin sister. Apparently, she's even more of a homebody than Jin Xin, and she's also introverted. She hasn't left the dorm since the news broke.

"You must be Lin, right? Everyone says you're amazing!"

Chen Zi stood on tiptoe to greet him, "Want to play together, boss?"

Hao Wenmin chimed in casually, "Let's see the skills of a badminton master!"

Gu Qingqing rested her chin on her hand: "But wouldn't it be difficult to coordinate seven people?"

"That's a good match. If Lin Xiang comes too, we can pair up as three mixed doubles pairs."

Zhao Hao glanced at Xu Yue with a smile, "Just kick Xu Yue out."

"Why did you kick me like that?"

Xu Yue immediately protested, "I'm an indispensable part too, okay!"

"It's good, it would be even better if it were missing."

"Teacher Zhao is right."

The two roommates tacitly put their hands behind their backs, while the three female classmates burst into laughter, not wanting to miss out on the trouble. Xu Yue, this ENTP jerk, is meant to be hurt.

"Thanks, but I'm not participating."

Lin Xiang shook his head. "There's still training to finish."

"Still training? Sigh, poor old Lin."

Xu Yue didn't mind almost being expelled from the dormitory at all, and went up to comfort Lin Xiang, even though he had called him a dog yesterday.

"It's okay, Lao Lin. Even though Shi-senpai abandoned you, 456 will always be your warm harbor. Listen to me! There are plenty of fish in the sea, why bother with training... hiss...?"

As Xu Yue watched the senior student walk out of the warehouse, his smile gradually faded.

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