Chapter 16

By the time the next summer arrived, the Songlan District project, a joint venture between Zhong and Jin Enterprises, was successfully completed.

Using the information He Linchuan had found-proof that Song Tinglan and Jin Huai had been involved in drug parties abroad-I sent them both to the top of the trending topics. They were taken in for investigation, Jin Corporation’s stock plummeted, and I took the opportunity to snatch several major projects that Jin Huai had been poised to win.

“They’re probably going to jail,” Song Xiuyu said, his fingers flying across his keyboard. “Studying abroad, huh? More like partying in clubs and getting high. What a joke.”

The team members gossiped while doing their speed drills, clearly enjoying the drama.

He Linchuan typed in silence until the word “VICTORY” flashed across his screen. He pushed his keyboard forward. “Training is over for today.” He took my hand. “Let’s go on a date.”

Song Xiuyu yelled after him, “The finals are next week, Captain, you-”

He Linchuan glanced back, a single cold look silencing him. After a moment, Song Xiuyu mumbled, “Have fun, you two.”

I was surprised when He Linchuan took me to the beach. The deserted stretch of sand from seven years ago had been developed into a popular tourist spot. He led me to a quiet area by the reefs. The sea breeze, warm and humid, lifted the hem of my dress.

He Linchuan, a mint on his tongue, turned and kissed me. As our breaths mingled, flashes of the past flooded my mind, finally settling on that clumsy, passionate kiss from eight years ago.

When the long kiss ended, he pulled back slightly and smiled. “After the finals next week, I’m retiring.”

I was taken aback. “Retiring?”

“Yeah. In this industry, speed and reaction time are tied to age. At twenty-four, I’m already at the end of my career. I should have retired earlier-” He paused, looking down at me. “-but I wanted to win one more championship. Here, in this country, in front of you.”

It was impossible to describe the overwhelming, fierce emotion that washed over me. But I had grown accustomed to keeping my feelings in check. In the end, all I could do was hug him tightly and whisper, “I’m sorry. From now on, I will never miss another important moment in your life.”

On the day of the finals, I stood behind He Linchuan as the new owner of the Caihong team. I watched as he and his teammates lifted the trophy. I thought of what his old teammate had told me, how He Linchuan’s expression had been a mixture of joy and sorrow when he won his first championship. My heart ached with a bittersweet pain.

At the press conference that followed, he announced his retirement. A reporter asked, “What are your plans for the future? Have you considered staying on as a coach for Caihong?”

He Linchuan nodded seriously. “I do plan on staying.”

“From now on, I’ll be the team’s boss’s husband.”

That night, my social media was flooded with well-wishes from his ecstatic fans. From now on, I thought with a smile, I’ll just have to be a supportive partner.

As I sat on the sofa, I liked his post.

He Linchuan suddenly asked me, “Do you know how the team got its name?”

I shook my head, turning to look at him.

“The team’s name is Caihong,” he said, setting the trophy down and coming over to kiss me. “Because a ‘Caihong’ always appears after the rain, along with ‘Ni¹‘.”

“Zhong Ni, I want to be by your side forever.”

Footnote:

1. 1. Ni(霓):The name of He Linchuan’s team, “Caihong” (彩虹), means “Rainbow” in Chinese. The main character’s name, Zhong Ni (钟霓), contains the character “Ni” (霓), which also means “rainbow,” specifically the secondary, fainter arc of a double rainbow. His line is a play on words, meaning that a rainbow (Caihong) and another rainbow (Ni) always appear together, symbolizing that his team and her are meant to be.