Chapter 7: A Long-Distance Shot

Ming Han got up early on Saturday morning. After washing up, he watched some basketball videos on his MP4 before getting ready for school.

Today was the day he and Xiaoyu had agreed to play a one-on-one match.

The loser would have to call the winner "Dad"!

Ming Han had never called anyone "Dad" before, not even his own father!

When he arrived at the school basketball court, a sizable crowd had already gathered. Many of his classmates knew about their bet.

The spectators whispered among themselves, "Ming Han is tall and handsome, but as far as I know, he’s never played basketball before!"

"Exactly! Xiaoyu is at least a substitute on the team!"

Ming Han ignored the chatter, walking straight to Yuhang’s side. "I’m not so confident about this, damn it!"

"Watch your language—didn’t you see Zhang Xiaozhen is here too?" Yuhang gestured.

A little thrill stirred in Ming Han’s heart. This bet had nothing to do with her, but her presence—did it mean she cared about him?

"Wow, even Chen Li is here?" Da Xu’s eyes widened in disbelief.

Chen Li was not only the acknowledged class beauty but also ranked second on the school forum’s beauty list.

Xiaoyu was fully geared up today. He looked at Ming Han. "Ready, son? Are you prepared?"

Ming Han just smiled indifferently, saying nothing. In truth, he was incredibly nervous.

As he passed Zhang Xiaozhen, Ming Han greeted her. She replied with a polite smile.

Chen Li, however, addressed him seriously, "Do your best!"

"Mm," he replied.

Although Ming Han didn’t have any feelings for Chen Li, encouragement from a beautiful girl was like a fire in winter, warming his heart...

The game began.

Xiaoyu made the first shot from the free-throw line—it went in. He had the first offensive possession.

Once ready, Xiaoyu faced Ming Han, accelerated, and tried to break past him. Ming Han kept up. One meter from the basket, Xiaoyu seemed about to shoot. Ming Han leapt to block, only to find Xiaoyu had faked, tricking him into the air before banking the shot in.

1:0.

Ming Han felt a pang of frustration—he’d been too hasty!

For the second shot, Xiaoyu tried to break through again, but his feints couldn’t fool Ming Han this time. He forced up a shot—smack! It was swatted away!

Now Ming Han had the ball.

"I know you can’t dribble at all—how are you going to win a one-on-one without being able to drive past me?"

Ming Han ignored him, backed him down using his body, dribbled twice, then shot from the free-throw line.

Swish! It went in...

Next time, same spot—swish! Again.

Xiaoyu was a bit dazed, helpless even; he couldn’t interfere at all.

"Xiaoyu, use your body, don’t let him shoot so easily," someone called out.

Sure enough, on the next possession, Ming Han lost his rhythm and missed.

Back and forth they went.

Xiaoyu made a mid-range jumper and a drive.

Ming Han’s main tactic was to back down, find a good spot, and shoot.

"I was hoping to train him into a Dwight Howard, but he’s playing more and more like Aldridge," Yuhang lamented on the sidelines...

Before they knew it, the score was tied at 5:5.

Now Xiaoyu had the ball.

To be honest, even he was nervous at this point. He hadn’t expected Ming Han’s shooting to improve so much, or his height to give him such an edge!

"I have to score this one," he told himself silently.

He took the ball, drove past, waited for Ming Han to catch up, then pulled back, catching Ming Han off balance, switched direction, and drove for a layup.

Was this the game-winner?

Xiaoyu was almost certain the shot would go in, but just as the ball left his hands, someone smacked it away from behind.

A cheer erupted...

Ming Han’s ball!

Everyone could guess what Ming Han would do next—his "backdown and shoot" routine.

But unexpectedly, Ming Han faked a drive, then leapt straight up for a jumper.

He was beyond the three-point line.

Even Yuhang didn’t expect Ming Han to be so decisive.

In fact, Ming Han had just learned this move that morning from a Kobe Bryant video. A quick study put to the test!

Swish—nothing but net!

Xiaoyu was frozen in place.

Ming Han, panting, rested his hands on his knees. "I won!"