Grip Tape

A badminton tournament notice brings together 43-year-old Shen Yi and 29-year-old Lin Xiao as doubles partners. The white shuttlecock whistles back and forth overhead, the crisp sound of each hit filling the empty gym. Shen Yi’s steady defense makes up for Lin Xiao’s daring attacks, while Lin Xiao’s quick footwork covers the corners Shen Yi can no longer reach as swiftly because of an old injury. Sweat splashes onto the rubber court and quickly evaporates, but something else quietly seeps in...

A badminton court has clear boundaries. Life does not. The eyes of their colleagues, their families’ expectations, and the unspoken rules of the system form an invisible net, keeping them at a safe distance. Lin Xiao’s affection is bold and passionate, like his signature jumping smash. Shen Yi’s hesitation is heavy and lingering, like the long rallies he excels at defending against.

Two men in identical navy uniforms learn, amid the daily grind and ordinary routines, how to wind an unspeakable flutter of the heart into the grip of each other’s lives, as carefully yet resolutely as wrapping a new overgrip around a badminton racket.

This is a story about restraint and closeness, defense and offense, old injuries and new healing. It takes place in a setting where discipline is paramount, and tells of an emotion that can never be planned.