[Sorry, everyone, I changed the premise. This is a passionate sports competition novel.]
Rivals-to-lovers / childhood sweethearts / meeting at the top / competitive sports / WAG culture.
Bright and charming little ray of sunshine vs. cold and domineering king of the tennis court
-
Jiang Cheng is ranked number one among junior tennis players.
He has just won the US Open men's singles title and is the rising star of the tennis world.
In an office,
he and his agent are negotiating the price of his first commercial contract.
A girl bursts in.
She wears a white tennis dress and a baseball cap, her hair in two braids. She is youthful, lively, and charmingly radiant.
"Leon, why is his contract worth more than mine? I'm the junior women's singles champion too."
Jiang Cheng raises an eyebrow. "Because I'm better than you. If you don't agree, play me."
He Xinyou gives a soft snort. "Fine. Let's play. Who's scared?"
And just like that,
Jiang Cheng and He Xinyou face off.
He Xinyou wins.
What she doesn't know
is that Jiang Cheng went easy on her in that match.
After their friendly match, the two get together soon afterward.
They think they can climb to the top of the tennis world together and win Grand Slams side by side.
But life is full of surprises.
He Xinyou falls during a match, tears a ligament, and suffers a serious injury.
Her doctor tells her she can never compete again.
And so, at just twenty, she retires early.
After retiring, she becomes Jiang Cheng's hitting partner, traveling the world with him and accompanying him on tour.
He rises from outside the top hundred to the ATP top ten, winning tournaments big and small.
After winning the Grand Slam final, he reaches world number one.
As more and more media and fans follow them,
the press gives He Xinyou the label of a WAG.
The public calls her the "Champion's Girlfriend."
Gradually,
their relationship begins to crack. They argue constantly.
"I want you courtside at every match! If you're not there, I lose!"
He starts blaming her for his losses.
She can't take it anymore and breaks up with him.
"Jiang Cheng, I don't want to be your full-time girlfriend anymore."
After their breakup,
He Xinyou goes to university and becomes an excellent journalist.
After injuries and a slump, Jiang Cheng begins to return to his peak.
Five years later,
Jiang Cheng is world number one, with ten Grand Slam titles to his name.
He Xinyou is assigned to interview him.
They meet face-to-face.
Following the list of questions she prepared in advance, she asks:
"You've achieved the Golden Slam. You must have no regrets in life now."
"No. I do have one."
"You are my regret."
--
[Two-year age gap, both leads are each other's first and only.]
Theme: Live well
