"Liu Dong. Liu as in Liu Bei, and Dong as in the four cardinal directions."

"Minister Wang?"

"Yes. A few nights ago, I was working late on a news draft when Minister Wang stopped by. Seeing me working overtime, he mentioned that while diligence is a virtue, one must also look after their health. He then asked if I knew how to play badminton. I told him I knew a little."

"Minister Wang didn't say anything else and left. Later, I asked some colleagues in private and learned that he is a huge badminton enthusiast and quite a skilled player at that. So, I figured I should practice, which is why I came to you."

Fang Qingye stared at him, stunned. Was this still the same slightly pretentious, artsy young man he used to know? The transformation was just too drastic.

"What's wrong, Yezi? Do you have something else to do? If you're busy, never mind," Liu Dong added.

"No, no, I'm free all evening," Fang Qingye said, snapping back to reality. "Alright, I'll teach you. I'll make sure you really learn it!"

"Thanks so much! Come on, cheers!" The two clinked their beer mugs together.

The next day after dinner, Fang Qingye was getting ready to head to the stadium to play when, unexpectedly, Song Dahai called.

"Free tonight? Let's go to Royal No. 7 for some karaoke."

"No time. Liu Dong asked me to teach him how to play badminton," Fang Qingye replied honestly.

On the other end of the line, Song Dahai sounded incredibly surprised.

"Liu Dong asked you to teach him badminton? I was just about to call him myself... Has something gone wrong with his brain? Why is he learning that now?"

"He's preparing to be a practice partner." Fang Qingye laughed and briefly explained what Liu Dong had told him the night before.

"Huh? Seriously? Isn't that a bit beneath him? If it were me, and someone asked me to play as a practice partner for a superior? I wouldn't even bother!"

"Your father is the richest man in Nanxin, and your uncle is a municipal bureau official. Of course, you don't need to curry favor with anyone, but can Liu Dong afford that luxury?" Fang Qingye retorted bluntly. "His family is from the countryside, his parents are honest, salt-of-the-earth farmers with no connections. Being assigned to the Committee on Aging, is he supposed to spend his whole life dealing only with old folks? Being seconded to the Publicity Department is the best chance he has to get out of there! Naturally, he's going to spare no effort."

"Sigh... Yezi, you've become quite worldly, too," Song Dahai sighed.

"It's not being worldly; it's reality. Anyway, I'm not chatting anymore, I have to go."

"Fine, then I'll go hang out with Shi Yong and the others."

"Go ahead, and make sure not to drink and drive," Fang Qingye said before hanging up.

Shi Yong, whom Song Dahai mentioned, was also the son of a big boss in Nanxin. Their small group consisted of seven or eight well-known rich kids in Nanxin County; they all drove luxury cars and frequented high-end entertainment venues. Fang Qingye knew them, but they were only nodding acquaintances; Song Dahai had never tried to pull him into that circle.

Hopping onto his small scooter, Fang Qingye arrived at the stadium's badminton hall. Liu Dong was already waiting, and the two resumed their practice.

After yesterday's training, Liu Dong’s skills had improved significantly. Compared to table tennis, badminton was relatively easier to pick up. He quickly mastered the basics of serving, and now, following Fang Qingye's instructions, he began practicing his footwork, moving with surprising precision.

An hour passed. Fang Qingye intentionally increased the power of his shots and hit a beautiful smash, which, to his surprise, Liu Dong managed to return.

"Nice! I'll lift it, you smash!" Fang Qingye lifted the shuttlecock, and Liu Dong copied the move with a smash of his own. Fang Qingye returned it calmly, and the two began trading smashes on the court.

Their performance caught the attention of two young women playing on the adjacent court. One was tall with slightly tan skin, her thigh muscles clearly defined and fluid as she ran—a sign of someone who exercised regularly. The other was shorter with a round face, looking quite fair in her sportswear.

The tall one was Du Juan, and the other was Bi Huanhuan; they were cousins playing together. Du Juan was a PE teacher at Chaoyang Middle School, and she was only there to accompany her cousin, but Bi Huanhuan's level was too poor—her shots were weak and lifeless, making the game boring. When she accidentally saw Fang Qingye’s powerful smash on the next court and noticed his footwork, she concluded that he had undergone professional training. Playing with someone like that would be much more interesting.

Her eyes darted, and she said to her cousin opposite her, "Huanhuan, come here."

"What's wrong, cousin?" Bi Huanhuan picked up a towel to wipe the sweat from her forehead and walked over.

"How about we switch opponents with those two handsome guys? You go play against the one with glasses, and I'll take the taller one," Du Juan whispered.

Bi Huanhuan looked closely at the two boys playing and realized that one was skilled and the other was not. Her cousin was clearly tired of her low skill level and wanted to play with an expert.

"Sure, but you go ask them. I’m too embarrassed," Bi Huanhuan replied.

"You work at the Government Office, how can you still be so shy?! Forget it... I'll go ask." Du Juan walked straight over to the other court with her racket.

"Hey, you two, hold on a second."

Fang Qingye heard this, caught the shuttlecock Liu Dong hit, and turned to look at the somewhat brash-looking woman.

"Handsome, I see you've got some skills. How about I play against you, and my cousin plays against your friend?"

Fang Qingye didn't answer immediately but looked over at Liu Dong.

Liu Dong was quite straightforward: "Sure, but I'm not very good."

"My cousin isn't very good either; you'll be a perfect match," Du Juan replied, walking toward the court where Liu Dong was standing. Liu Dong stepped aside and moved to the adjacent court.

Fang Qingye didn't say anything. He served first. The opponent returned it with a lob to the back court, then suddenly jumped for a powerful smash, sending the shuttlecock straight toward the back-left corner of Fang Qingye's side. Fang Qingye was prepared; he sidestepped, scooped the shuttlecock up, and dropped it into the corner. The two began trading shots back and forth.

Neither spoke, focusing entirely on the game. Both were hitting powerful smashes, and their levels were well-matched, immediately drawing a small crowd who stood on the sidelines to watch, some even cheering loudly.

On Liu Dong’s side, things were much quieter.

After they had been playing for a while, it was Liu Dong's turn to serve. Holding the shuttlecock, he didn't serve immediately but instead asked, "You work at the Government Office, right?"

"You know me?" Bi Huanhuan asked in surprise.

"I’ve seen you when I go to the Government Office to deliver documents."

"Oh? Which department are you from?"

"I used to work for the Committee on Aging, but now I’m seconded to the Publicity Department," Liu Dong said truthfully.

"The Publicity Department must be pretty busy, right?" Bi Huanhuan asked.

"Yeah, I'm often out in the countryside, and when I get back, I have to write drafts. When the county holds important meetings, like the People's Congress or the Party Congress, it’s even busier."

Hearing this, Bi Huanhuan felt a sense of sympathy: "Our Government Office is quite busy, too. I'm in the Comprehensive Division; I have to write all sorts of materials, handle various supervision tasks, inspections..."

The two found themselves in an engaging conversation.

"I forgot to ask, what’s your name?" Liu Dong asked.

"My name is Bi Huanhuan. 'Bi' as in the great-grandfather, 'Huanhuan' as in joy. How about you?"

"Liu Dong. 'Liu' as in Liu Bei, 'Dong' as in the four cardinal directions."