Returning to '97, creating a new life

Catch the ball and jump from the spot.

Three-pointer, hit.

10: 6.

While close-marking the opponent's ace isn't Xu Kai's forte in terms of technique, his physical attributes make him a formidable force on the defensive end.

He used his upper body to disrupt the opponent's rhythm and steal the ball.

With a flick of his wrist, the ball was passed to Fei Wenxin, who had made a run. With a simple jump, he dunked the ball with both hands.

10: 8.

The cheerleaders were chanting wildly from the sidelines: "Hu Yuxuan, go! Hu Yuxuan, go!"

"Wanwan is right, you are the ace of this team." Hu Yuxuan played steadily and controlled the pace, and did not lose his composure because of Xu Kai's appearance.

Feeling Xu Kai's physical intensity, I didn't force myself. I passed the ball out and started making runs.

Uh.

Xu Kai likes this kind of thing. We run around on the court and work up a sweat. Otherwise, I don't even break a sweat during a 15-minute half-and-half game.

Man-to-man defense, requiring 100% focus and relentless physical exertion, is a daily routine for the entire high school basketball team.

Xu Kai set an example, and everyone followed suit.

Fang Jinyao recently entered the three-person challenge as a substitute, and his training focused on physical fitness. For some time now, physical fitness training has been the team's top priority.

I'm not afraid of losing to you, I'm just afraid of losing even if I grit my teeth and try to outlast you physically, that would be too embarrassing.

The defense was successful, and the rebound was secured.

Xu Kai dribbled out to the three-point line and, facing Hu Yuxuan's close defense, made an off-ball movement.

The ball was passed out, and then he started running, his feet never stopping. While Dong Bin, Fei Wenxin, and their opponents were probing and battling, Xu Kai didn't care at all. He just kept circling around the arc and running to the baseline, making Hu Yuxuan dizzy. At this moment, Fei Wenxin passed the ball out immediately.

After all, attention is always there.

After all, Kai is the team's number one core player.

He had an opportunity; someone must have run into open space, and the ball would definitely have gone to him.

Swish!

Three-pointer goes in.

Hu Yuxuan stood with his hands on his hips, looking somewhat helpless, just like his teammates.

The cheerleaders stopped shouting, and the surrounding area was now packed with spectators. Many teams that weren't playing had gathered around to watch the match between these two teams that were more complete in terms of technique, physique, and tactics.

Xu Kai briefly demonstrated his three-point shooting ability, and Hu Yuxuan could only concentrate on defending him. After a brief period of back-and-forth, the game entered a phase where every offensive and defensive play required a lot of physical exertion. By the end of the first half, Hu Yuxuan and his two teammates were drenched in sweat and panting heavily. They sat down on chairs, wiping their faces with towels, sweat pouring out continuously. They would wipe it off, and within seconds, more sweat would appear.

29: 23.

Songcheng No.1 High School was in the lead, but the points were not many and they did not show any overwhelming strength, but the feeling of despair was very, very obvious.

My body is tired, my legs feel heavy and I feel like I can't run anymore.

My ribs were throbbing. Every confrontation felt like it wasn't high school level. My opponents were all hard-hitting, especially the one who came in later. No matter who was defending, they would first engage in physical contact. Every collision brought me discomfort.

For high school level basketball players, the idea that physical confrontation is not instinctive but tactical is a bit too advanced; they are unlikely to accept using their bodies as weapons.

"Give it your all, compete with them in shooting accuracy, abandon conventional tactics, if you can't outshoot them, then give up and conserve your energy. There are several games a day, you don't want to be unable to play after just one game, do you?" The girl in overalls walked up to Hu Yuxuan and the other two, her voice soft but carrying the cruelest words.

Hu Yuxuan raised her head, her eyes wide with resentment. Before she could even speak, the girl in overalls predicted her words and declared definitively, "Xu Kai from Songcheng No. 1 High School hasn't even gone all out yet."

The people around were dumbfounded, unable to believe it, but they had to believe it. If it weren't for the gender issue, and purely based on ability, Su Xingwan should be the one on the field today. Can't someone who is gentle and weak be an athlete?

"I could also tell he was very relaxed. So in the second half, we'll just have a contest of shooting fundamentals." Hu Yuxuan wiped his forehead again, sweat dripping down his face. He clenched his fist in secret. He was so tired. These fifteen minutes were more tiring than playing a full game for the team.

Su Xingwan, who stood on the scene with a confident expression, gradually changed her expression. The tactics she proposed had resulted in the opponent shining brightly.

Focusing solely on shooting and abandoning everything else, Xu Kai has completely entered his comfort zone.

The game was effectively over by the seventh minute of the second half. The entire arena was packed with people, who watched as Xu Kai made his debut and scored eight three-pointers in the first seven minutes of the second half, becoming the first superstar to emerge in the national competition.

The shouts of encouragement from all around grew louder, and Songcheng No. 1 High School began to officially come into the sight of all the teams. As the team's ace, Xu Kai began to endure countless fierce stares from the men.

After competing in one match and watching several, Xu Kai began to realize that he had underestimated his own strength. With teammates like Dong Bin and Fei Wenxin, who are tall and athletic, he could expect more in the national competition, where the game is played in a 3v3 format. On a stage that emphasizes individual strength and allows for greater expression of individual abilities, he could have even higher ambitions.

"Handsome, are you free tonight? Want to play a game of ball?" Hearing "handsome" from Su Xingwan, with her youthful, innocent face and gentle, delicate voice, coupled with her proactive invitation that allows for endless fantasies, would be irresistible to any man.

Xu Kai held on because he realized the key point the other person was making.

I'm not asking you out, I'm asking you out for a game.

She has self-awareness, and apart from her captivating appearance, there's nothing else that would make Xu Kai treat her differently. If there is anything, it's that she should stay away from him.

Looking at something pleasing to the eye is not the same as enjoying it.

I'm very realistic; only meat that's actually in my mouth tastes good.

"I'm very busy. After the match, I still have to write reviews and post-match analysis."

Su Xingwan didn't show any extra expression. Her big, bright eyes were sparkling, and her teary eyes gave the impression that tears were about to fall at any moment. She stared at Xu Kai, and the people around her couldn't bear to watch.

Not to mention hot-blooded young men like Dong Bin and Fei Wenxin, even Park In-ji couldn't stand it anymore and kept giving Xu Kai meaningful glances—you kid, do you think I don't know you? You haven't even broken a sweat or gotten tired, and the girl has already taken the initiative to come to you, and you're still acting all high and mighty.

Xu Kai remained unmoved.

Su Xingwan greeted Park In-ji politely: "Hello, teacher. I am a student from Yanjing High School. My name is Su Xingwan."

"Hello, hello, Su."

Su Xingwan's smile was sweet and captivating, giving one the feeling that if they didn't agree to her smile, they would be doing something wrong.

"Teacher, I've been volunteering at school whenever I have time. If you'd like to explore Beijing during your free time after the competition, I can be your tour guide."

If you say that Yunshang's bright and elegant beauty and her budding sexiness are so aggressive that they make people feel inferior and unable to reach her, then don't overestimate yourself and try to pull her forward.

The Su Xingwan before me, with her innocent and harmless first-love face, would make any boy forget to examine himself to see if he was a good match, and feel as if the heavens had sent the angelic girl of his dreams to him.

It gives off a strong sense of a domineering CEO who mindlessly falls in love with a short, slovenly, and incompetent but naive female protagonist.

That's how unreasonable it is, that's how addictive it is.

Like Fang Jinyao, the three of them nodded repeatedly like chicks pecking at rice, their eyes filled with tiny red hearts fluttering in a cartoonish style.

Xu Kai didn't look at Su Xingwan, but instead turned to look at Hu Yuxuan not far away. There was no anger, unease, resentment, or jealousy in his eyes. Instead, there was a hint of schadenfreude in his gaze.

This woman is no good.

Having been in society for over twenty years, both in the workplace and in business, most of the time it's been a battle between people. Reading between the lines is a basic skill. No matter how high your skill level is, you're still just a bunch of "kids." And those who aren't the main characters are even worse off.

Stunning people are always surrounded by admirers. So what does Hu Yuxuan's current reaction, given that he's so outstanding that a bunch of girls are chasing after him, signify?

Delicate little white flowers, but definitely thorny, and with barbed thorns at that.

I just found a place to hide, but then a faint fragrance wafted over, and I could even feel the body temperature of the person sitting next to me. Is this a normal social distance?

This woman is more than just a bad person.

Xu Kai forced a sheepish expression and turned to Su Xingwan: "Sister, how can I apologize before you'll let me off the hook? Otherwise, what if I'm injured and can't play when you all make it to the finals as the second-place team in your group from the other half of the bracket?"

Su Xingwan smiled and turned her head, her smile radiant.

Xu Kai was speechless. Is this what they call the legendary joy of fighting with others?

Feeling the sharp, piercing gazes from all around, all he heard were words beneath a bright smile, devoid of any emotional fluctuation: "I've just discovered you're quite interesting. I don't mean anything by it. When you're free, let's have a one-on-one duel."

OK.

"Is today's match over?"

"Can."

"I'll come find you then."

"Okay, Mulan."

After ending the conversation, Su Xingwan suddenly revealed an expression more genuine than any of her previous ones. She frowned, her eyes showing a hint of disgust, as if she didn't want to breathe: "You stink."

Xu Kai suddenly widened his eyes.

Su Xingwan was also stunned for a moment, staring at him as if trying to get the answer she wanted from his eyes.

You wouldn't be...

Did you notice?

Xu Kai walked briskly.

Su Xingwan stared at his back, lost in thought.