Chapter 50: The Tide of Fate (4)
The plane landed in the early morning.
Yin Guo sat in Meng Xiaodong’s car, wearing a black dress she had changed into on the plane. Meng Xiaodong handed her a shoebox—black flats he had picked up from her home the night before.
“How is Jiang Yang?” Her flight had no satellite internet, so she hadn’t had the chance to discuss Jiang Yang’s situation in detail before boarding. Now, she finally had the opportunity to ask. “Has he been discharged?”
“Yes. He’ll definitely be at the memorial service today,” Meng Xiaodong started the car. “Your family still doesn’t know about your Open.”
She let out a sigh of relief.
“But don’t underestimate Mom and Dad. He Lao has been catching up with your mom over the phone, so she’s probably guessed something and asked me about it.”
Her heart clenched. Nervously, she asked, “…What did you say?”
“I said—” Meng Xiaodong gave a helpless smile. “I knew all along. I was the one who set you two up.”
Truthfully, Meng Xiaodong had long planned to take this first hit. He had even given his father a heads-up in advance, waiting for the right moment to resolve the issue.
Back when he first started playing, Yin Guo’s mom was still a referee and often took him to competitions. Because of that, Meng Xiaodong had always been closest to her. And since he had always been outstanding, his place in Yin Guo’s mother’s heart had remained unshaken over the years. With him personally taking this first blow, they were bound to make significant progress.
Of course, the most important factor was that ever since Lin Yiyang’s return, his conduct and actions had been impeccable—from leading China to its best performance at the China Open, to reconciling with his mentor, and now taking over East New City.
All of it had quietly earned him quite a few points in their eyes.
“Don’t worry,” he added. “She didn’t seem angry when I saw her.”
Yin Guo exhaled. “Thanks, bro.”
“Thankfully, you didn’t rush back.” What he had feared most was Yin Guo abandoning the competition to return home—not only losing her results but also giving her parents the impression that she prioritized love over responsibility. “Congratulations, by the way. U.S. Open champion.”
Yin Guo smiled faintly.
The joy of victory had long faded. All she wanted now was to see him as soon as possible.
Yin Guo’s mom was with colleagues from the sports bureau.
When they arrived, Yin Guo first greeted her mother, then followed Meng Xiaodong into the hall as a representative of North City.
The memorial service was simply arranged. He Lao’s portrait stood at the center, and the entire hall was filled with wreaths sent by mourners.
He Lao had two daughters. The elder had passed away years earlier, leaving behind a grandson, while the younger had given him a granddaughter. His wife had also passed away long ago. The family wasn’t large, so over the past few days, most of the funeral arrangements had been handled by his younger daughter, her husband, and a few of his disciples.
As Yin Guo entered the hall, Meng Xiaodong took a pen from the reception desk and signed both their names in the guestbook.
She glanced around but didn’t see Lin Yiyang.
Just as she was wondering whether to send him a message to let him know she had arrived, she heard a familiar voice to her right—Wu Wei’s. A group of people ascended the stairs, led by Lin Yiyang and Jiang Yang.
Both were dressed in black shirts and trousers, head to toe in mourning.
From his early return from the Open to now, only three days had passed. Logically, there shouldn’t have been any drastic changes, yet he had visibly lost weight—not just in his face but his arms as well. His shirt no longer fit as snugly as before.Yin Guo met his gaze, and her heart felt as though it had been scraped by a blade.
Lin Yiyang slowed his steps.
Under the watchful eyes of the crowd, it wasn’t the time for lengthy words or actions. As he slowed, Jiang Yang beside him and the older generation from East New City behind him all came to a stop.
Yin Guo held her breath. The sight of him seemed to unfold in slow motion until he stood right before her.
The man she missed the most was now just a meter away.
Lin Yiyang had spoken too many words these past few days, made too many arrangements, and too many decisions. Now, facing his girlfriend, he couldn’t think of what to say.
Meng Xiaodong set down his pen, breaking the silence first. "If there’s anything I can do to help, just say the word."
Lin Yiyang patted Meng Xiaodong’s arm. "You’ve already helped enough."
Helping to comfort Yin Guo these past two days, ensuring she competed smoothly, and bringing her back safely—it was more than enough.
Lin Yiyang gave Yin Guo one last deep look. "The ceremony is about to begin. I’ll go in first."
The words seemed directed at Meng Xiaodong, but they were really meant for Yin Guo.
Yin Guo gave a slight nod, feeling him brush past her. As the new leader of East New City’s latest generation, he was flanked by his old brothers—not a single one missing—all here to receive colleagues from the industry and sports circles.
Yin Guo stood at the back of the crowd, by the door, where natural and artificial light intertwined, watching him.
Watching him shake hands and exchange greetings.
The memorial service soon began. Important guests filled the hall, while the younger attendees, with no space left, stood outside in the lobby or on the stairs. Jiang Yang, who had just left the hospital, was presiding over the service. His complexion was poor, but as the man who had led East New City for over a decade, he could hold the entire ceremony together even if he were about to enter the operating room.
It was a standard memorial service. The second time Yin Guo faced Lin Yiyang up close was during the handshake with the family. Following her cousin, she shook hands with each family member, then with the disciples. Standing at the end of the family line was Lin Yiyang. Everyone was crying—except for this most cherished youngest disciple. He alone remained composed.
One by one, the attendees offered condolences and shook hands with each family member and disciple.
Yin Guo followed the line until she stood before him.
Lin Yiyang extended his hand to her. She took it. The rough lines of his palm grazed the back of her hand before they parted.
After the handshake, people began leaving the hall one after another.
Yin Guo’s suitcase was taken from the car by her cousin. He carried it and led her to the parking lot, where her mom was waiting.
Yin Guo couldn’t shake the feeling that after shaking hands with Lin Yiyang, he had been watching her leave.
Even as she followed Meng Xiaodong to the flower bed by the parking lot and saw her mom, she still felt the weight of his silent gaze behind her.
"Flying for over ten hours—aren’t you tired?" her mom asked.
Meng Xiaodong took the car keys, opened the trunk, and placed her suitcase in the back of her mom’s car.
She smiled faintly. "I’m used to it by now."
"Let’s go home first," her mom said. "Xiaodong, you come too. Grandma’s there—she wants to have dinner with both of you."
"Alright," Meng Xiaodong agreed. "I’ll drive and follow you."
Yin Guo watched the interaction between her cousin and mom, but her thoughts lingered on Lin Yiyang.
She wanted to stay. She wanted to see him alone. She wanted to talk to him, even just a few words.
She didn’t want to leave…
Meng Xiaodong turned to head to his car.
"Mom…" Yin Guo suddenly spoke up. "Can I go home a little later?"Meng Xiaodong halted his steps, and Yin Guo's mother also paused in her movements.
Just then, a car drove out of the parking lot, braking as it passed by to bid farewell to Yin Guo's mother. She smiled and waved at the occupants before turning her gaze to Yin Guo. After a brief silence, she asked, "Grandma misses you too. Won’t you go home first to see her?"
Yin Guo pleaded with her eyes, "I’ll go home tonight."
The short silence only heightened the unease.
Afraid that being too direct might backfire, Yin Guo glanced at Meng Xiaodong, who subtly signaled her to hold off and go home first. Unexpectedly, as the siblings exchanged looks, her mother sighed and said, "Go ahead."
Then she added, "Don’t stay out too late."
Yin Guo flashed the happiest smile she’d had in days. Excitedly, she blurted, "Thanks, Mom!" and immediately dashed off.
Watching her daughter’s retreating figure, Yin Guo's mother turned to Meng Xiaodong. "Xiaodong, do you know? Almost everyone here today has received He Lao’s kindness in one way or another."
This "kindness" wasn’t necessarily material—it was more about spiritual support.
When Yin Guo's mother first entered the industry after college, pursuing her referee qualifications, she often saw He Wenfeng at tournaments. Back then, billiards was even more niche than it is now. She loved it and wanted to be a referee, but no one in her family understood. She navigated the tiered referee exams and evaluations by trial and error. Workplace politics exist in every field, and referees were no exception. Countless times, she wanted to quit, but she’d chat with He Lao, who frequently came to watch matches.
He Lao was usually stern but also witty. His most common advice to her was: "Life is lived day by day. Do what you most want to do each day, what makes you happiest. Don’t overthink it, don’t look too far ahead. Focus on the present, on the real path beneath your feet."
He Lao never quite mastered the motivational buzzword "dream," a term belonging to the newer generation. He’d often pat his chest and say it was about that feeling—something that excited you, kept you awake at night, made your blood boil with the urge to act.
How fortunate Lin Yiyang was to have studied under He Wenfeng in his youth. Back then, he couldn’t fully grasp it, but today, seeing so many seniors travel from across the country to pay their respects, not just him but all of He Lao’s disciples—everyone at East New City—must have gained a deeper understanding.
East New City was less a billiard club and more a legacy. It might decline in the future, or it might thrive, but neither outcome would diminish the stature of its name.
And Lin Yiyang—he was its future leader, a role personally appointed by He Lao before his passing.
Lin Yiyang’s car wasn’t in the parking lot but tucked away in a corner behind the memorial hall.
He carried out a cardboard box filled with miscellaneous items to take back to East New City. Tossing it into the trunk, he got into the car—only for the passenger door to open, revealing someone smiling at him.
Lin Yiyang’s right hand still held the seatbelt. When he saw her face, he paused for a few seconds before breaking into his first genuine smile in days. "Not afraid of being seen?"
"Mom knows," Yin Guo replied, unable to suppress her grin. "My brother took the blame for you. Said he was the one who brought us together. With him around, it’s fine."
Lin Yiyang tilted his head to look at her as she leaned against the seat, gazing back at him.She took the initiative to grasp Lin Yiyang's right hand on the steering wheel, and he clasped hers in return, his thumb lightly stroking the back of her hand.
"Where were you planning to go just now?" she asked him first.
"Back to East New City."
"Then let's go to East New City," she said. "I'll go back with you."
She hadn't been there before.
The North City Club was later relocated by Meng Xiaodong because he thought the previous location wasn't central enough and inconvenient. East New City, however, had remained at the same address since its establishment until today. Though not as well-positioned as the billiard hall Lin Yiyang rented, it made up for it in size.
The main building was spacious, with three floors in total.
Yin Guo got out of the car and was led by Lin Yiyang to the front gate. Seeing the signboard that read "East New City Billiard Club," she couldn't help but glance around.
The red brick walls and iron gate of the compound enclosed a unique space—the main building on one side, and a two-story building on the other. Behind the smaller building was an open area designated for parking cars.
Today, all the club members had attended the memorial service, and only a few had returned. Including Lin Yiyang's car, there were only three vehicles parked there.
Seeing Yin Guo had slightly lifted Lin Yiyang's low spirits. With everything settled today, a weight had been lifted from his mind, and he was in a better state than the past few days. However, the dark clouds in his heart hadn't fully dispersed yet, and he remained quiet.
Yin Guo didn't want to talk much with him today either—she just wanted to keep him company.
On the first floor, a group of children were practicing, all very young, none older than ten.
She followed Lin Yiyang up the stairs and ran into Cheng Yan and a few other young female players from East New City coming down. Cheng Yan hadn't participated in either the U.S. Open or the World Championship this time, and this was only their second encounter since that meeting in New York years ago.
Cheng Yan was equally surprised to see Yin Guo. The memorial service had been too crowded for them to notice each other.
"Sixth Brother," Cheng Yan called out to him.
The others chimed in, addressing him as "Sixth Uncle."
Lin Yiyang nodded.
The girls swarmed downstairs, taking up most of the staircase. Seeing Yin Guo pause, Lin Yiyang took hold of her wrist and led her up the far-right side.
By the time the two turned the corner and disappeared from view,
Cheng Yan was still gripping the stair railing, suppressing a storm of emotions.
Walking beside Lin Yiyang, Yin Guo was momentarily distracted by Cheng Yan. She had forgotten about this earlier—if Lin Yiyang returned to East New City, he would see Cheng Yan every day. Meanwhile, she would be busy with competitions and training, leaving them with little time together...
Lin Yiyang walked to the first office on the south side of the second floor, took out a key, and unlocked the door.
He pushed it open.
Inside was a simple setup—a desk, a sofa, and a coffee table with an ashtray overflowing with cigarette butts, left behind after a long night of conversation among the men. The windows had been open all morning, and most of the smoke smell had dissipated. Lin Yiyang closed the windows and drew the curtains.
Still holding her wrist, he led Yin Guo to the sofa. He had her sit first, then lay down in utter exhaustion, resting his head on her lap. "I'm not feeling well," he said hoarsely. "Gonna sleep for a bit."
She had never seen him like this before. Even when he was sick, shuttling between two places to maintain what was practically a long-distance relationship with her, he had always been composed. Now, he had let go of the willpower that had sustained him these past few days, revealing his truest self.This was the first time since his return that he truly wanted to sleep—and the only time he felt he could actually fall asleep. Taking over East New City had been yesterday's decision. All his personal belongings were still at his pool hall, the dormitory here hadn't been tidied up, and there wasn’t even a bed in the office—just this leather sofa. Yet somehow, coming back here felt right.
He remembered his younger brother toasting him on Qingming Festival, saying the same words as always: "Find a home, brother."
...
Lying on the sofa in this office, he had never wanted anything more than he did today: a home.
As long as she was there, it would be enough. She was all he needed.
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