Countdown

May 19th, 6pm.

Lou Cheng arrived at Jiuwen Stadium in advance and entered his personal resting room.

He didn't switch on the lights or the large screen TV, letting the room remain dark.

In absolute darkness, he sat on the sofa and looked straight ahead. He was immersed in his inner self as he tried to recall memories that had triggered strong emotions in his life. He also recalled the things that supported him all the way to this point as he made his final preparations.

It was the love and protection from his parents, and his unwillingness to see them getting weaker, tired, and older.

It was displays of kinship through fried yellow eel rice and various small matters.

It was pure admiration that came from the bottom of his heart, mellowed within silence, and bloomed in his youth.

It was his impulsive confession of love on a full moon night, and her response of, "Let's enjoy this for five more minutes."