Translator: Atlas Studios
Editor: Atlas Studios
The competition began again. Zhang Mingyu stood still at the three-point line to try and hold Qin Ze. If Qin Ze tried to block the ball and in front of the line, they would pass the ball to Zhang Mingyu, and he would be able to make a clean three-point shot without being hindered.
The strategy was an instant success, and Zhang Mingyu managed to make a three-pointer; the straight-hair youngster and another player both got two points each. It was 31-22 at this point, and the gap was closing. However, looking at the trends, it was really difficult to reverse that before the match ended.
“This is tough.” Zhao Baliang grimaced, his forehead full of sweat.
Qin Ze nodded. This was probably why they said that a single log cannot prop up a tottering building. In a team match, the ability of an individual could be easily suppressed and countered by the opponent no matter how outstanding they are. That was a lesson that Qin Ze picked up from games. The only exception was if it was an ace against a novice, but that was clearly not the case here.
“System, exchange for three-pointer skills.” Qin Ze communicated to the system. A few meters away, the ball was being passed around the opposing team. As long as Qin Ze was blocking Zhang Mingyu, they would not pass the ball this way.
Qin Ze moved and activated his leg muscles, the explosive force propelling forward. He intercepted the ball and moved forward with it.
The instant he had the ball in his hand, it no longer felt awkward and stiff. It felt natural as if he belonged on the court.
Zhang Mingyu sprinted after Qin Ze while yelling at his companions. “Keep a close eye on your person; don’t let them take the ball and score.”
Based on their analysis, Zhang Mingyu and his team believed that Qin Ze did not know how to shoot. He had always been in a supporting role. As long as they blocked the others, they were blocking Qin Ze, too.
At the three-point line, Qin Ze made an unexpected move. He came to a halt and jumped, tossing the ball. It was a single fluid movement without any hesitation.
He’s getting anxious!
Instead of shock, Zhang Mingyu was delighted. In any match, any signs of anxiety or pressure meant the team was not far from losing. In this situation, the clueless Qin Ze would only make more mistakes the more he participated.
The match would end in about ten scores, and the scores were tight on both sides.
His explosiveness and ability to jump has been held back by us. Of course, he’s anxious.
Joy rose in Zhang Mingyu’s heart as he watched the ball rise and dive from the peak. It formed a perfect parabola and made a clean shot into the next.
Zhang Mingyu’s pupils dilated as his joy instantly disappeared.
How could that be?!
That could not be!
“F*ck!”
He heard the straight-hair youngster cry out from afar.
There were resounding applause and cheers. A three-pointer was always a crowd-pleaser.
Qin Ze smiled confidently. What I’m proud of is not my ability to jump; neither is it my explosiveness. It’s my ability to master things instantly. So what if you’re an ace? I have an added ability that you can never beat.
Zhang Mingyu started the match. After being beaten by Qin Ze several times, he gave up the idea of being active in the court. As long as he stayed put, it would be tough for Qin Ze—who was guarding him—to be active. His team was experienced while the other team was all novices. The thought made Zhang Mingyu feel a little better. He dismissed the shot from earlier as a fluke.
A group made a sudden attack on Qin Ze’s side of the hoop and scored easily.
The straight-hair youngster cheered loudly. “Yes!”
Spring Chicken started the match next. He passed the ball to Liu Ziqiang who was the closest to him. They were cut off by a duo beneath the hood. Qin Ze came around from the three-point line. “Here!” He called out.
Liu Ziqiang was hesitant. He had finally managed to make his way to the inner circle, and it seemed like a waste to pass it back. The opponent was closely watching Old Liu and Spring Chicken. Zhao Baliang was on the other side of the court. Qin Ze was the only one who was available, with Zhang Mingyu lagging a few meters behind. He was the only one who was unguarded. Liu Ziqiang gritted his teeth and tossed the ball out.
Qin Ze jumped out and caught the ball. He saw Zhang Mingyu coming at him from his corner from his eyes and made a fake shot.
Zhang Mingyu immediately jumped to try to catch it.
I knew that you can’t shoot, and I won’t let you get away with it easily.
However, he did not it to be a fake move on Qin Ze’s part. The instant he landed, Qin Ze jumped up and made the shot.
Zhang Mingyu’s eyes were nailed to the ball. I don’t believe you can still make it.
Bam! The ball went straight through the net. Another three-pointer!
“Nice, Qin Ze!” Zhao Baliang shouted from where he was standing on the other side of the court.
Spring Chicken and Liu Ziqiang cried out excitedly. That was a beautiful three-pointer, and they saw the hope of victory.
The audience was excited.
“Another shot, he’s good.”
“He’s not worse than Zhang Mingyu.”
“Why didn’t Qin Ze make the shots if he were so good at three-pointers earlier?”
“Pfft… don’t tell me that he was just pretending to make Zhang Mingyu look bad.”
Zhang Mingyu was stunned. He gritted his teeth as he eyed the cheering opposing team. He looked at his teammates, and they were all upset. Flukes were nothing, but it would be troublesome if Qin Ze was an all-rounder. How could they go on if he was good and everything?
The straight-hair youngster walked over with the ball. He did not start the match immediately. Instead, he spoke to his team in hushed voices. “Just make it a fast game, and don’t worry about the others. In terms of skills and technique, we’re stronger than them. Besides, we’re in the lead right now. Just make it fast, and don’t give them the chance to breathe. We’ll be the ones to make it to fifty points first.”
He was on the school team; he had judgment and strategy.
Zhang Mingyu nodded solemnly when he heard that. “Let’s do that. Thanks for the trouble. I’ll bring everyone out to play tonight. My treat.”
Everyone’s eyes lit up. What Zhang Mingyu meant was clearly more than just drinking and singing. That was not what they were interested in.
The match continued, and the players from the school team were in full force. They gave no heed to their energy, and it quickly tired out their opponents. Their energy was limited, on top of them already being in a match since earlier. They could not catch their breath now. Qin Ze was the only one keeping the team together with his interceptions and shots.
The scores on both sides grew.
36-27…
40-38…
44-40…
48-48…
“We’re even!” Li Liang shouted.
Both sides of the court were rejuvenated, and the atmosphere changed and a murderous aura filled the air.
One last ball!
Everything depended on this last round!
The cheers from outside stopped. Everyone’s hearts were in their mouths, expectant and excited. The match was exciting. There was no landslide, and neither side gave up. It was a roller coaster, and the scores were tied even when they were almost at the end.
It was more interesting than the inter-school tournaments.
A dozen of Zhang Mingyu’s fangirls clenched their fists.
The straight-hair youngster ran outside the court with the ball and breathed out to calm himself. Zhang Mingyu signaled for him to toss the ball with a nod. Qin Ze quietly stepped in front of Zhang Mingyu. The straight-hair youngster changed his mind about passing the ball to Zhang Mingyu and tossed it to another teammate.
The school forum!
“OP, it’s been more than 10 minutes. Is the match over yet?”
“Not yet, but it’s in the final moments,” the original poster replied after a while. “It’s exciting, very exciting. I bet you guys won’t be able to guess what the score is right now.”
“50-20?”
“Did the OP say that it isn’t over yet?”
“49-9?”
“Pfft…”
The original poster sent a stunned emoji. “48-48!”
“Seriously? D*mn!”
“I’m naive; please don’t toy with me like this.”
“Aiyo, that’s not bad. No one stops me; I’m going to the basketball court now.”
“OP, who has the ball now?!”
The original poster replied. “Err… Zhang Mingyu’s side.”
“Oh, no. Control of the ball is halfway to victory, not to mention that they’re the school team!”
“Hurry up and live stream the result. I want to see Qin Ze call him Grandpa.”
“Yeah, yeah, we can’t miss this part. We want to see him be embarrassed.”
“Even though Qin Ze’s not bad at basketball, I don’t think there’s hope for him. After all, Zhang Mingyu’s team is on the school team.”
“Disclaimer. I’m not a girl. Zhang Mingyu’s my bro, and I’m not in school today. Otherwise, I’ll definitely cheer on him there. No idea who Qin Ze is.”
“He wants to make his name by stepping all over Zhang Mingyu? He needs to take a good look at himself.”
“Nothing fair or unfair. He’s good, but Zhang Mingyu’s not too bad. A basketball match depends on the overall quality. Qin Ze’s not good enough.”
At this time, the person with the ball made a sudden advance. The number 55 was printed on his jersey. He was stopped by Liu Ziqiang and Spring Chicken when he got to the inner circle. He quickly scanned for his teammates. There was one underneath the hoop, but he was guarded by a buff guy (Zhao Baliang). Zhang Mingyu was guarded by Qin Ze. Only one person was unguarded because the person who was supposed to be guarding him (Liu Ziqiang) was now with number 55. Zhu Yunfei (straight-hair youngster) was behind him…
As he was looking around, he saw Liu Ziqiang reach out to intercept the ball. He made the swift decision and pretended to toss the ball to his unguarded teammate.
Qin Ze was watching him the whole time and immediately knew what the player was trying to do. He propelled himself towards the unguarded player.
At this time, number 55 paused. It was a fake move, and he tossed the ball backward. He knew of Qin Ze’s abilities, and he had taken that into consideration.
The straight-hair youngster sneaked up as number 55 blocked out Spring Chicken and Liu Ziqiang. There was a gap, and he rushed towards the hoop.
One step.
Another step.
He leaped up, ready to score.
Qin Ze’s pupils dilated.
Liu Ziqiang, Spring Chicken, and Old Liu turned in shock as they watched him leap up and go straight for the hoop. That was it!
Dunk!
The audience’s hearts rose to their throats, preparing to cheer.
If this moment were to freeze on the straight-hair youngster’s face, it was clear that his expression was especially fierce.
I need to make this shot.
However, he heard a growl from behind. “Do you think I’m not there?”
There was also the cry of Zhang Mingyu and his teammates from behind him. “Be careful! Behind!”
D*mn it!
This again!
It was like a curse that traumatized him.
He felt an anomaly behind him. He was mid-air now, and it was a little late for him to take any defensive measures.
Piak!
A hand came down and took the ball from his hand.
“Gosh!” Someone cried out in shock.
“In terms of high jump, Qin Ze’s definitely the best.”
“My heart can’t take this.”
“That’s brilliant, really brilliant.”
“Best in court: Qin Ze!”
“Die Qin Ze; go Zhang Mingyu.”
“Go Zhang Mingyu.”
“Go Zhang Mingyu.”
There was cold sweat on Qin Ze’s back after he landed. They were so close to losing. A three-hundred mission was no easy feat. It was the toughest mission he had been assigned. Even with the system, they might not win. His points would be in the negative if they lost. He had 320 points before, and he spent 40 points on the basketball skill. He now had 280 points left.
He could not afford to lose!
Zhao Baliang, who had practically been standing around the whole game, watched as the ball fell from the sky. He hugged it tightly as he glared at the people around him.
In the middle court, Old Wang stuck his index finger up to motion for Zhao Baliang to pass the ball.
Zhao Baliang tossed the ball with all his might. “Old Wang! We’re all counting on you…” He shouted.
The shout brought their opponents back to their senses, and their faces changed.
The competition was not over yet!
“Stop him!” Zhang Mingyu shouted.
“Stop him, even if you make a foul!” The straight-hair youngster cried out.
Old Wang sprinted as everyone chased after him.
It was too late.
They were faster than him, and he could not make the shot from in the circle.
Old Wang paused and froze in his steps. He did not have time to adjust himself. He jumped and took the shot.
Someone shoved him from behind, disregarding the rules, whether they were intentional or not.
Old Wang stumbled forward and plunged towards the floor. As he fell, he looked up and watched as the ball soared through the air.
It has to go in!
At this point, no one cared about the foul. Everyone was silent, and it seemed as if time were frozen. Everyone’s eyes followed the ball, and their hearts raced.
That was it!
The next instance…
Several girls covered their faces and peeked through their fingers.
The ball hit the board and bounced back.
“He was too hasty. Of course, it won’t make it.”
“He almost did it. D*mn, my heart.”
“That’s intense.”
“Ahhhh…!” Some girls screamed.
Old Wang was sprawled across the floor as he pounded on it, filled with despair and regret.
Liu Ziqiang, Spring Chicken, and Zhao Baliang’s mouth were slightly ajar. Their hearts felt empty as if their energy had been drained.
“Yes!” Zhang Mingyu was excited. He wanted to laugh out loud.
“We haven’t lost yet; there’s still hope.” The straight hair youngster was excited.
His other teammates cheered, and they all went for the ball.
“Ah… behind!” A girl called out from behind.
When he heard that, the straight-hair youngster felt his hairs rise.
Zhang Mingyu froze.
The throngs of people watched as the figure soared.
He flew past Zhang Mingyu and the straight hair youngster as he headed for the free-throw line.
It was like an eagle about to assault the sky.
He grabbed the ball with both his hands as he leaned back and went in for the kill.
Slam dunk!
Bang!
The sound reverberated across the court.
The sound of the basketball grew softer and softer. However, there were no cheers, and everyone’s eyes were fixed on the boy hanging on the hoop.
Decades later, many still remembered the scene.