During The Blizzard (Amidst A Snowstorm Of Love)

Canto 58: Return Of The King

"I am not from here, I am not from there. I am rooted in the space in between." - Salman Rushdie

Translator: Wuxia Studio, Editor: J.C Forester (Mrphysit)

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One year later
Airport, Terminal

Yin Guo heaved her suitcase onto the nearest unoccupied seat, the one pressed against the window. Unlike the others scattered around the arrival hall, their chatter and laughter trailing behind them like confetti, she'd just disembarked. A glance at her phone confirmed it was still early. The wait stretched before her, heavy and empty.

The frustration of the flight with no internet gnawed at her. How long had Lin Yiyang been on the ground already?  She yearned to track his flight path, anything to bridge the agonizing wait.

Lin Yiyang. He was finally returning home.

A wave of contestants flooded out of the exit next, pulling their luggage behind them. Unlike Yin Guo, most hadn't bothered to change out of their flamboyant stage attire. Makeup, flamboyant hairpieces, and even a few club logos emblazoned on suitcases, all drew curious stares from passersby.

Finally, the referees emerged, shedding their official uniforms like tired actors. Lin Lin, the head referee, walked to the front. Fresh from a year-long recovery from surgery, this was her first time officiating an entire event since her return.

Lin Lin quickly saw Yin Guo in the corner. This is a rookie king who has risen rapidly in the domestic nine-ball, eight-ball, and world-fancy nine-ball rankings after only one year of debut.

Her eyes are very large, but because she lowered her head, she was blocked by the bangs that slid in front of her. She was wearing a pea-pink hoodie and white jeans, her legs were crossed, and she sat obediently on the chair, holding her phone and staring at the screen.

Lin Lin guessed that she was distracted and knew that she was waiting for someone. In the next few hours, there will be many people arriving at this airport, coming to this exit, and picking up the same person.

"I haven't said hello yet,"

Yin Guo raised her eyes and smiled at her: "We met in Hangzhou."

How could the boss of the referee team not know each other?

"It's different," Lin Lin smiled, "I'm Lin Lin from Dongxincheng, who grew up with Lin Yiyang." Yin Guo smiled and shook hands with the other party.

It felt like Lin Lin's grip was quite strong. It was the kind of close handshake that seemed to meet family members. The relationship between the two seemed to be drawn closer.

Concern flickered across Yin Guo's face. "I heard about your surgery. Coming back for such a big tournament right away, are you sure you're up to it?"

Lin Lin chuckled, a hint of fatigue in her eyes. "I'm managing. Honestly, I'd love another month off, but this Open is a big deal, and apparently, rest is a luxury right now."

A comfortable silence settled between them, broken only by the murmur of the crowd. Then, a playful glint sparked in Lin Lin's eyes. Leaning in conspiratorially, she whispered, "Tell me honestly, did Lin Yiyang fall into some loan shark trouble in America? He's been on a tear lately!"

Yin Guo's lips twitched in amusement. She understood perfectly. Lin Yiyang's meteoric rise in the rankings, coupled with his seemingly endless stream of bonus wins, had tongues wagging. Rumors swirled that his combined prize money from major events, a hefty sum in both pounds and dollars, had already surpassed two million.