Figure Skating Isn't a Power Fantasy, So You Can't Master It Overnight

There's a saying: "Figure skating is a group of lonely souls walking side by side as they chase one another."

That includes Yi Jing. He should have been used to loneliness.

But when he finally stepped onto the international stage, he discovered that figure skating was clearly a group of goofballs drawn to one another.

The haughty Russian cat acts out lines from a defeated rival the moment he meets Yi Jing: "Next time, I'll beat you fair and square!"

Yi Jing: "...Uh, but you're the champion."

The American skater, who had just competed against him and just finished the medal ceremony, immediately scurried over. An imaginary dog tail wagged frantically behind him. "How about we go boating on Lake Placid together?"

Yi Jing: "...Sure."

The Krik siblings, his ice dance partners with none of the dignity of senior athletes, love teasing him. Huang Beibei, the mischievous young singles skater, gave him a nickname the first time they met.

His coach Vivian, as caring as a mother; the kind, elderly team leader Yang Qingjia... Zhang Qiusheng, Yuzu Takuya, Miles, Anna... This patch of ice brought countless people together. Only this rink knows their heartaches, struggles, and triumphs.

This is their story.

Please note:

1. The protagonist is a slow-burn, coming-of-age type. There may be some group-pampering vibes, but there will be no romance.

2. The author is an ignorant fan who only follows figure skating online. My knowledge of the technical side may contain errors, so please be gentle.

3. The timeline is entirely fictional. Please don't take it too seriously.

4. Every character has a soul of their own. I want to portray them thoughtfully, and I hope you'll like them. My life experience may have led me to draw inspiration from people I know, but I can guarantee that none of the characters in this story are based on real people.

[Announcement: This novel will go behind the paywall on Thursday, July 28. Chapters 21 through 50 will become paid chapters, so please don't buy them again if you've already read them. The paywall launch will come with a 10,000-word update. Thank you for all your support so far, and I hope you'll keep supporting me!]

Theme: Friendship first, competition second.