In Tokyo in November, autumn was in full swing. The ginkgo trees lining both sides of the streets stood with golden leaves, swaying gently in the breeze.
When the National Table Tennis Team arrived at Haneda International Airport, it was right around noon. The entire contingent, dressed in black team uniforms bearing the five-star red flag, marched in neat formation into the arrivals area. The dazzling sunlight spilled over them like a troop of soldiers setting off for the battlefield.
Well, except that the general leading them didn't seem particularly tall; looking round and endearingly chubby, he hardly looked like someone who could play ball. A middle-aged, chubby man wearing a duckbill cap stood at the very front of the procession, with Ma Long and the rest of the team following closely behind him.
Chapter 66