Chapter 52: A Competition Without Space Travel

Life in the ninth grade was always somewhat different from before. The girls hurried along, rushing to the cafeteria, then, after a quick meal and a trip to fetch hot water, they returned just as swiftly. This startled Daxu, who hastily took a few more bites of chicken and tugged at Yuhang, saying, “Let’s go read, or else I feel my days are numbered. I need books to soothe my soul.”

The homeroom teacher no longer cared about any honor unrelated to academics. Last week, their class ranked last in the cleanliness inspection. Adjusting her glasses, the teacher declared righteously, “Our class is wholly devoted to studying. Who has time for trivial matters like cleaning?” Her words left the grade director, who had come to hold them accountable, awkwardly silent for quite a while.

Moreover, when the homeroom teacher learned that Ming Han was a member of the school basketball team, she called him into her office. “A student as outstanding as you should focus all your energy on academics. I suggest you quit the basketball team!” Ming Han was straightforward, “Teacher, I want to play basketball.” The teacher knew she couldn’t push the students too hard. With a sigh, she said, “Then you must promise your grades won’t slip; otherwise, I’ll ask your coach to remove you from the team. Students like you are the school’s greatest treasure.” Ming Han smiled. After the first monthly exam, he ranked eleventh in the grade and fourth in the class.

He was already among the top students in the entire grade, and the homeroom teacher was so pleased she could hardly contain herself.

After the monthly exam, the ninth-grade basketball tournament kicked off in full swing. After the midterm, many of the main players in various classes had to participate in the county basketball competition.

Yuhang was excited. “Ming Han, this time, it’ll be our true peak partnership.” Ming Han clapped him on the shoulder, eyes brimming with fighting spirit. Last year, they had fought tooth and nail to reach the finals. This year, they would face the same crowd, many of whom were also teammates from the school team.

Qiang sent Yuhang a message: “We’ll be waiting for you!” The meaning was clear. Last year, you knocked us out; this grudge must be settled.

Class Seven remained strong, capable of contending for the championship.

The round of sixteen would begin this Saturday. According to the school’s arrangements, all matches would be held over the weekend to ensure a balance between work and rest.

Yuhang returned from the draw. “Our first-round opponent is Class Sixteen.” In the grade, Classes Thirteen through Sixteen were all key classes. Aside from last year’s Class Thirteen, the other key classes had never achieved much.

Daxu laughed, “Playing them, we can take it easy.” Everyone chuckled. The difference in strength between the two teams was too great; there was nearly no suspense.

“They have one good player, Lin Keyang—a solo expert. As long as we contain him, we’ll be fine,” Yuhang analyzed. Ming Han nodded. He’d played pick-up games with Lin Keyang before; the boy did have impressive one-on-one skills, and when he was on fire, he was unstoppable. He remembered that in seventh grade, during the first knockout game, Lin Keyang had scored thirty points on his own, sinking four three-pointers and electrifying the whole crowd.

But in Class Sixteen, only he was any good; the others weren’t really into basketball. If Daxu could lock down Lin Keyang, the game wouldn’t be hard.

“We have two days; let’s have a few practice sessions and get familiar with some basic tactics.” No one objected to Yuhang’s suggestion. For a basketball team, a competent leader was crucial—he was the brain of the team. And Yuhang was just that.

After class, they practiced together. After a few rounds, many were amazed by Ming Han’s tremendous improvement.

“This semester, we have only one goal—the championship.” “Alright!” Everyone was filled with fighting spirit.

Game day arrived quickly. Saturday at nine in the morning: Class Thirteen versus Class Sixteen.

There was much discussion. “It’s got to be Class Thirteen! They’re already strong enough to compete for the title.” “It’ll probably be a massacre!”

The members of Class Sixteen were nervous. Facing last year’s runner-up in the first round, the pressure was immense! Not that anyone in their class expected much.

“Keyang, unless you put up forty points, we don’t stand a chance.” Scoring forty points in a game like this was nearly impossible; a team’s total was usually around fifty. The school record was thirty-six, held by Qiang.

At that moment, chaos broke out in Class Thirteen’s camp because their key player—Yuhang—still hadn’t arrived.

Last night, Yuhang had received a call from home about something urgent and said he would return the next day. But now, no one could reach him.

“What do we do? We’ve never played a game without Yuhang!” Everyone’s confidence wavered, even though their opponents were not particularly strong.

Ming Han was even more worried about Yuhang, for he’d seen Yuhang’s troubled face during last night’s call.

“Ming Han, the two of us will lead Class Thirteen to the grade championship.” That was what Ming Han had said to him at the start of the season, brimming with confidence.

Yuhang, thank you for leading this rookie for so long. From here on, let me carry the torch!

“I’ll play point guard; the other positions remain as last year,” Ming Han announced.

Their class was known for smooth coordination, much of which was thanks to Yuhang, who drew defenders and had excellent passing skills. Without him, the Class Thirteen system might collapse.

They took the court. Lin Keyang, playing small forward for Class Sixteen, was surprised not to see Yuhang. “You’re going to give us an all-star starter?”

“He had something to do—can’t play today,” Ming Han replied.

Lin Keyang was excited. He told his teammates, “Without Yuhang, they’re not a threat. Let’s eliminate last year’s runner-up.” Players with strong solo skills usually had immense self-confidence, believing they could change everything.

Daxu couldn’t stand Lin Keyang’s smug smile and wanted to retort, but Ming Han stopped him. “No need. They’ll lose badly. Solo king, right?”

When everyone noticed Ming Han’s position, they were even more surprised. “Class Thirteen’s Ming Han is playing point guard? But he’s the tallest on the court!” “Isn’t this reckless?”

Many commented that it was unwise. Only the school team knew Ming Han could play point guard. But those guys were all mainstays in other classes and busy with their own games.

The game began. Zheng Yuan won first possession.

Ming Han dribbled upcourt. Facing Class Sixteen’s barely five-foot-seven point guard, he drove straight to the basket for a layup—scoring!

Six seconds into the game, first points on the board.

“I can’t guard him!” The Class Sixteen point guard threw up his hands in exasperation.