The Chinese national table tennis team is known for its enduring veterans and a steady stream of rising stars. The team has no shortage of world champions. Table tennis is the country's most popular sport and one of its surest sources of Summer Olympic gold medals. Men's singles in particular, with athletes whose good looks match their talent, is practically a guaranteed ratings hit at the Olympics. Competition within the team is fierce, and the athletes push themselves to the limit.
The Chinese national figure skating team, on the other hand, is known for a sport that's beautiful and ethereal, producing plenty of handsome men, beautiful women, and seemingly perfect couples. Yet even with so many stars, figure skating remains a niche sport in China. Unlike table tennis, its most popular events at the Winter Olympics, women's singles in particular, are dominated by one star at a time. The leading woman's position is secure for a long time, and with no domestic competition, it's easy for her to become complacent.
Xiang Hanchuan is a men's singles newcomer who has just fought his way to the top of China's national table tennis team. Fierce and decisive on the court, he's a rising star with an impeccable background, the next generation's heir apparent, and a world champion at seventeen.
Ji Shilu is the newest leading lady of China's national figure skating team, widely regarded in the domestic figure skating world as the most promising skater of her generation. A fairy-like beauty, every season she seems determined to ruin her own looks.
There's an unwritten rule on China's national table tennis team: the top players aren't allowed to date.
In figure skating, the unspoken consensus is that romance can help improve one's performance.
Xiang Hanchuan tells Ji Shilu, "I want a championship-winning romance with you."
The most romantic thing I can imagine doing with you is winning championships while showing off our love.
A calm, steady, and decisive heroine x a sunny, proactive, devoted male lead
Theme: Athletes in love
