Chapter 0098: I Can Do It, Can You?

Xia Chiyi opened the closet. Looking inside, all he saw hanging there were hoodies and sweatpants.

“What does it mean to dress more ‘sharply’? I’m always sharp,” Xia Chiyi muttered, scratching the back of his head as he pondered Ling Huanzhen’s words.

Zhou Zhexiao had sat up at some point, leaning against the headboard. It was unclear how long he had been watching Xia Chiyi.

“Wear the white one. You look good in white.”

“Oh.”

Xia Chiyi took off his team uniform. After all this time of physical training, the lines of his shoulders and back were quite beautiful. Across his entire body, muscles wrapped tightly around his bones. Jiao Yingfeng’s dietary management had brought his body fat percentage to an ideal state, achieving a heart-stirring balance of power and beauty.

“Do you want to go together?” Xia Chiyi looked at him. “You can see Mo Xiaojie.”

Zhou Zhexiao was expressionless, but Xia Chiyi could still tell—he wanted to frown but was forcefully holding it back.

“I have no interest in her. But you can go experience it, and figure out what it is you really want.”

For the first time, Xia Chiyi didn’t understand Zhou Zhexiao’s meaning: “Huh?”

“Mo Xiaojie is pretty, cheerful, active, likes sports, and has a good impression of you.”

“A good impression of me? How do you know?”

What major plotline had he missed exactly?

“When she finished dancing today, she blew a kiss at you.”

If Zhou Zhexiao’s expression hadn’t been so dead serious, Xia Chiyi suspected he would have choked to death on his own saliva.

“You blocked my face with your hand, so I didn’t receive it. Plus, there were a lot of people in our section—you’re there, Lu Yingnan is there, both guys with looks and skills flying high. How can you be sure Mo Xiaojie was blowing a kiss at me?”

“You can go ask her later.”

“Why are you telling me this?”

“Because life inherently has many choices, and you’ll see many shining stars and moons. The first one you met was Sheng Xingming. He was radiant, draped in glory, and gave you a little bit of favoritism when you were at your weakest.”

Xia Chiyi stood there stunned. But aren’t you Sheng Xingming? Why are you describing him as if he’s someone else?

“If he were still alive, he would be Ling Huanzhen’s age this year. He might have already experienced a decline in form. He wouldn’t have the stamina to play a full forty-minute game. Any rookie fresh out of the draft could dunk on his head. He might even be plagued by injuries, struggling just to execute a crossover. Whenever he stepped onto the court, the commentators’ lines might be, ‘Lian Po is old, can he still eat?'” (Translator’s note: An idiom questioning if an aging general is still capable of fighting).

Xia Chiyi’s heart felt like it was being pressed by something heavy; even his breathing felt pinched.

“If he were still alive, maybe you would shed tears and feel heartache for him. You’d wish time would stop for him, wondering why his peak couldn’t be infinitely extended. Then, there would be someone else holding your hand tightly, giving you a warm embrace and the courage to accept the cruelty of time together.”

Xia Chiyi was being watched by Zhou Zhexiao, whose gaze carried a loneliness that seemed to have seen through all human affairs.

Just like how he looked sitting in the airport McDonald’s waiting for him.

“Sheng Xingming could easily win your admiration because he taught you all sorts of footwork and shooting. He coaxed you when you hid in a toilet stall crying, and he unreservedly expressed infinite expectations for you. He saw you as his future self. He didn’t have to worry about his place in your heart; he fell too abruptly, so you never saw his gradual fading.”

Xia Chiyi swallowed hard and asked, “Then what about Zhou Zhexiao?”

“As for Zhou Zhexiao… all the halos right now will fade as you continue to grow. When you enter the CBA or NBA, you’ll realize he might be very strong, but he’s no longer as unreachable as Sheng Xingming. He cannot restrict your vision and your world. Eventually, you will see more outstanding opponents or… beautiful people who make your heart flutter.”

There were no lights on in the room, and the sunlight was strictly blocked by the heavy curtains.

In the silent shadows, Zhou Zhexiao’s facial features held an overwhelming tide. It could have surged toward Xia Chiyi, but it seemed frozen in place.

“Go.”

“Go where?”

“Go meet some people you find interesting, do some things that don’t necessarily have to do with basketball. You still have a lot of time, from eighteen to thirty-eight… Wait until you truly understand what it is you want… then come tell me. Because me, as a person, once I give myself away, even if you don’t want it anymore, I can’t take it back.”

Xia Chiyi finally understood the reason for Zhou Zhexiao’s sudden coldness.

There was a dull ache in his heart. He suddenly understood why Zhou Zhexiao was cautiously stepping back.

Liking someone can be very impulsive and passionate, but loving someone has to withstand tests.

This test is not just time, but the countless temptations and trials over a vast and long life.

“Fine, I’ll go through the motions.” Xia Chiyi turned around and fixed his hair in the mirror.

“What motions?” Zhou Zhexiao asked.

“Just a monkey picking corn. Going to pick every ear of corn I see, and when I’ve walked through the whole cornfield, realizing the very first ear of corn was still the best.”

Xia Chiyi turned his head and shot Zhou Zhexiao a glance.

A moment ago, Zhou Zhexiao’s face had been heavy and cold, but after hearing Xia Chiyi’s “monkey picking corn” theory, his expression suddenly softened quite a bit.

Xia Chiyi smiled quietly to himself: See, acting all dramatic, don’t I still have to be the one to comfort you?

“Zhou Zhexiao, you’re just jealous.”

“I…”

Before Zhou Zhexiao could say anything else, Xia Chiyi had already run out.

Assistant Coach Cheng Qing accompanied Xia Chiyi, advising him on things to watch out for along the way.

They sat in the taxi, the wind rushing in through the window, loudly blowing Xia Chiyi’s bangs and making his hoodie strings flutter.

If he hadn’t spoken up, he could have kept enjoying Zhou Zhexiao’s intimacy toward him forever.

They could sleep together, watch the same videos.

He could lie on Zhou Zhexiao’s shoulder and grab his hair.

As long as he asked, Zhou Zhexiao would practice basketball with him until he couldn’t lift his arms.

Until one day, when Xia Chiyi no longer needed him, Zhou Zhexiao could quietly exit the stage.

They could tacitly continue being teammates or opponents.

Probably, no one would get hurt.

Just like playing hide-and-seek when they were kids; Zhou Zhexiao would cover his eyes and ask over and over, “Are you hiding yet?” If Xia Chiyi said “Not yet,” the game could go on forever.

But that was Zhou Zhexiao’s thought process. Xia Chiyi never played games with Zhou Zhexiao; he only played for real.

Cheng Qing glanced at Xia Chiyi, feeling that although this kid was physically here with him, his soul had floated off to who-knows-where.

The taxi stopped at the entrance of another stadium called “Sunflower.” The production crew was inside.

Cheng Qing called Xia Chiyi several times before he snapped out of it.

“Xia Chiyi, are you okay… did you get into an argument with Zhou Zhexiao?”

“Ah? What does this have to do with Zhou Zhexiao!”

Just hearing that name made Xia Chiyi’s ears burn. It was really lethal.

Smiling, Cheng Qing flicked him on the forehead. “You, you aren’t afraid of losing or being tired. If the roof of the basketball stadium collapsed, you could use it as a blanket. But Zhou Zhexiao is your bottom line—isn’t that obvious to everyone on the team?”

“Coach Cheng, what’s the difference between liking someone at eighteen and liking someone at thirty-eight?”

“Ah?” Cheng Qing was stunned by the question.

But Xia Chiyi stood at the bottom of the steps very seriously, looking up at him slightly.

“Let’s put it this way: when I see people your age fall in love, it’s like opening a sealed jar of wine—wishing the scent could drift everywhere. Blind and regardless of consequences, but completely unreserved.”

So, was he… very childish in front of Zhou Zhexiao?

“What about at thirty-eight?”

“You’d want to seal that jar of wine properly, hide it as deep as possible. This world is too utilitarian, too realistic; how could that little bit of wine aroma compete with all the other scents in this world? But…”

Cheng Qing hesitated.

“But what?”

“But if you never unseal it, how will you know if you love that scent?”

As soon as Cheng Qing finished speaking, Xia Chiyi suddenly hugged him tightly.

With a bit too much strength, Cheng Qing was almost squeezed breathless.

“Thank you.”

“I-It’s nothing. Since we’re here, let’s properly record this program and earnestly help the committee promote the Division I league.”

“Yeah, okay!”

Xia Chiyi let go of Cheng Qing and followed him onto the basketball court. Seeing the various reflectors and camera tracks set up, it felt like another world.

The seating in this venue was only about one-third of Junyang Stadium’s, but surprisingly, it was almost completely full.

This wasn’t playing on the court, so when the lights hit Xia Chiyi’s face, the rising and falling cheers from all around entered his ears clearly.

A staff member wearing a name badge trotted over and said with a smile, “Student Xia Chiyi, you’re really popular! This way please, we need to put a little makeup on you.”

“Oh… okay.”

Xia Chiyi kept looking back as he walked; the voices calling his name grew louder, which made him a bit flustered.

It was Cheng Qing who reminded him, “Even though everyone can’t hear you speak, you can wave and say hi first.”

“Mm!” Xia Chiyi spun around on the spot and waved.

The audience shouted even louder, and many raised their phones to take pictures, leaving Xia Chiyi at a loss for what to do.

Fortunately, the staff member came over, put an arm around his shoulder, and led him away.

At this moment, for some inexplicable reason, he missed Zhou Zhexiao even more.

He had already experienced all of this in his past life—interviews, programs, commercials—he handled them with ease. Following him, Xia Chiyi wouldn’t have to worry, nor would he make mistakes.

No, no, Xia Chiyi, you have to grow up. You have to handle these things yourself, or Zhou Zhexiao will disdain you for being immature again.

Arriving in the workroom and sitting down, the show’s makeup artist was surprised to see him.

“You look even more handsome in person than the official photos released by the Division I league!”

“Thank you,” Xia Chiyi felt a bit embarrassed.

“I feel like there’s not much room for me to show my skills. But for recording a show, we still have to deepen the contours of your eyes, otherwise you’ll look a bit washed out on camera.”

“Okay, whatever you say.”

Xia Chiyi didn’t randomly voice opinions on things he didn’t understand.

It was only when the eyebrow razor pressed against his eyelid that Xia Chiyi got nervous and shrank back.

“Don’t be afraid, I won’t cut you.”

Yeah. When he shot the makeup photos for the Southeast Regional tournament for the first time, Zhou Zhexiao had also trimmed his eyebrows.

Thinking back on it now, he hadn’t been afraid then; he had even wanted to press closer, even if he got cut, even if it hurt.

Once the makeup was done, Xia Chiyi stared blankly at his reflection in the mirror.

“How is it? Is there anything that needs adjusting?”

“No… I think I can kick Yang Huaiyu out of the Division I’s Top Three Divine Faces list now.”

As soon as he finished speaking, Yang Huaiyu’s voice rang out, startling Xia Chiyi so much he almost bounced out of the chair.

“The finals haven’t even started, and you already want to usurp the throne?”

“Brother Huaiyu, you came to record this show too?”

Yang Huaiyu unceremoniously pressed down on the top of his head. “Calling me ‘Brother Huaiyu’ to my face, and ‘Yang Huaiyu’ behind my back. Xia Chiyi, does this count as being two-faced?”

A staff member explained from the side: “The finals between your two teams are the day after tomorrow. To boost attention, there definitely needs to be some confrontational effect.”

“Confrontational effect? That’s gonna be hard, right? After all, I’m Brother Huaiyu’s fanboy! When he did that massive double-clutch under the basket today, I was waving flags and shouting in the stands. I was almost labeled a traitor by my teammates.”

Yang Huaiyu draped an arm over Xia Chiyi’s shoulder, his casual, relaxed smile showing undisguised appreciation and fondness for Xia Chiyi.

“Your last shot in the game today was beautiful as a painting. The moment I downloaded the official photo, I set it as my screensaver. But A-Yan told me I looked like a creep, so I had to change it back to a full team photo.”

The staff member hadn’t expected these two to have such a good relationship in private either.

A girl’s brisk voice rang out.

“Since you two appreciate each other so much, why not just date on the show!”

It was Mo Xiaojie.

She looked even prettier than during her halftime dance performance.

Xia Chiyi blurted out instinctively: “I thought you had beauty filters on in your live stream, turns out the real person is this pretty too…”

Her skin was clear, and her eyes shone with a sly, confident light.

There was also her unreservedly displayed v-line abs; it was the kind of healthy beauty that Xia Chiyi appreciated.

Mo Xiaojie crossed her arms and scrutinized Xia Chiyi from a close distance without being polite either. “You’re really handsome too. At least I know Coolang Live definitely doesn’t use beauty filters.”

“Thank you.” Xia Chiyi wasn’t quite used to it. He clearly hadn’t heard anyone call him handsome back in high school; instead, after making it to the Southeast Regionals, he heard it all the time.

As expected, are basketball skills the best plastic surgery for an athlete?

“But as for the dating joke, it’s best if you tease him and Zhou Zhexiao, leave me out of it,” Yang Huaiyu raised a hand and smiled.

“Why? Zhou Zhexiao is… not very approachable. When I jokingly blew a kiss at Xia Chiyi today, he even blocked Xia Chiyi’s face. Is my kiss poisonous?” Mo Xiaojie pouted slightly, putting on a wronged expression.

So what Zhou Zhexiao said was true: Mo Xiaojie really did blow a kiss at him after her performance.

Hearing this, Yang Huaiyu sighed at the ceiling. “So, Student Mo Xiaojie—you performed during the halftime of our Qincheng University game, but you blew a kiss to Ningchang University’s Xia Chiyi. Just how little do you think of our Qincheng University?”

“I’m the one who should feel bad, right? I heard Xia Chiyi rejected the production crew without a second thought. It seems my charm stat is in the negatives.”

“No, no, your dancing was incredibly good! When Coach Ling told me about this show, he didn’t say you’d be participating.”

Yang Huaiyu pressed down on the back of Xia Chiyi’s head. “Mo Xiaojie, seriously, don’t joke around with him, he takes everything literally.”

“Hahaha, he really is handsome and cute. No wonder so many people in your fan group call you ‘Cub’ (Zai Zai).”

“How do you know?”

“Because I’m in your fan group!” Mo Xiaojie declared.

Xia Chiyi’s face instantly turned into a Fuji apple.

Yang Huaiyu turned his face away and scratched the tip of his nose. Good thing Ke Yan kept an eye on him, otherwise, being too unrestrained in the fan group, he might have already been recognized by Mo Xiaojie. If word got out about Ke Yan’s worries—like Qincheng University’s ace infiltrating the enemy shooter’s fan group—Ke Yan would probably hug Yang Huaiyu and self-destruct, taking them both out.

The staff brought over the printed run-of-show for them to review.

It was only a ten-plus-minute program, so the content was very simple.

Later in post-production, some clips about basketball rule changes, and the comparison between the ‘inside-is-king’ era ten years ago versus the current small-ball era would be edited in.

Today’s filming was more about the interaction between the Southeast Region’s star players and the fans.

Holding a basketball, Mo Xiaojie walked to half-court and gracefully introduced today’s rules: I Can Do It, Can You?

“This rule is easy to understand. For example, if our Qincheng University’s Yang Huaiyu executes a double-clutch layup, and Xia Chiyi can also do it, then Xia Chiyi gets one point! If not, he gets zero. Let’s enjoy this showdown between the two major star players of the Southeast Region!”

Xia Chiyi elbowed Yang Huaiyu. “Pitting me against you? We play completely different positions! They should have gotten Jiong Li (Li Shunchuan). Competing against you, aren’t I destined to lose?”

“Why are you destined to lose?” Yang Huaiyu asked, amused.

“If you do a free-throw line dunk, how could I possibly do that!” Xia Chiyi put his hands on his hips. They should have called Zhou Zhexiao for this.

“Please, do you think I’m Michael Jordan?”

“Zhou Zhexiao could do it,” Xia Chiyi blurted out automatically.

The back of his head was immediately pressed down. Speechless, Yang Huaiyu said, “I’ve paid attention. Zhou Zhexiao stepped over the free-throw line before jumping!”

“Then he definitely will be able to in the future.”

“Then you go call Zhou Zhexiao.”

“I won’t.”

“Why?”

“What, every time I’m losing a fight, am I supposed to call Zhou Zhexiao? Who is he to me anyway… talking about ‘reining in the horse at the cliff’s edge’…”

“If you can’t win the fight, of course you call him. A person needs to be open and magnanimous, especially on the court.”

“Then who do you call when you can’t win a fight?”

Yang Huaiyu thought seriously for a moment. “It seems no one on our team is more amazing than me, so calling anyone is useless.”

Xia Chiyi rolled his eyes. “I’m sending what you just said to Ke Yan right now. He’ll come chop you up with a fifty-meter machete.”

Yang Huaiyu stuffed his hands in his pockets and chuckled lightly.

The audience in the stands, though not knowing what they were chatting about, all laughed along with their expressions.

“So Yang Huaiyu and Xia Chiyi have such a good relationship?”
“Of course. Didn’t you notice Yang Huaiyu reposts Xia Chiyi’s Weibo posts, and Xia Chiyi likes the official photos of Yang Huaiyu?”
“Right, right! During the group stages, whenever someone belittled Ningchang University, Yang Huaiyu would definitely talk back.”
“What kind of socialist brotherhood is this? I’m downing this CP!”
“Hahaha, watch out that Zhou Zhexiao doesn’t pull a knife and chop off your dog head!”

Yang Huaiyu and Xia Chiyi also arrived at the half-court line. Mo Xiaojie held the basketball, and right as she walked up to them, she suddenly dribbled, lowered her center of gravity, spun with her back pressing against Xia Chiyi, and then hit a turnaround jumper.

It was smooth and flawless. It was so beautiful that the whole audience applauded.

Xia Chiyi stared at her wide-eyed. “You know how to play basketball? And play it this well?”

“Don’t underestimate me! I play in the women’s Sunshine League too!”

The basketball spun on Mo Xiaojie’s fingertip, her smile confident and bright.

“Really? Do you have any more games? I’ll go watch!”

Mo Xiaojie tossed the basketball at Xia Chiyi’s face. “Which pot doesn’t boil, you pick which pot! (Which means: bringing up a sore subject). We got eliminated right after making the Elite Eight!”

Xia Chiyi caught the ball. “If you play this well, you must be the ace of your team.”

Mo Xiaojie clapped her hands, drawing the attention of the whole audience. “Did you see that, everyone? Don’t let Xia Chiyi’s innocent ‘school grass’ (most handsome guy in school) face fool you. He has the flirting skills of a sea king (playboy)! He lifted me up to the clouds so easily!”

“I… I’m not. I genuinely think you’re amazing…”

Xia Chiyi frantically tried to explain.

Not just Mo Xiaojie, even the audience loved seeing Xia Chiyi looking so embarrassed. Many started jeering.

An alumnus of Ningchang University raised his hand high: “Right, right, right! Ningchang’s ‘Brother-Collector’ lives up to his reputation!”

If there were a crack in the floor, Xia Chiyi would bury his face in it immediately.

Yang Huaiyu ruffled Xia Chiyi’s hair. “Tell me, besides me, exactly how many ‘good brothers’ do you have?”

Waves of laughter rolled from the stands.

Xia Chiyi knew Yang Huaiyu was just livening up the atmosphere, so he kneed him lightly behind the knee. “Stop spouting nonsense.”

Unexpectedly, Yang Huaiyu’s center of gravity was incredibly stable; he didn’t even sway. He looked back, eyes lowered, and said knowingly: “I heard with my own ears you calling Zhao Lingcong ‘Brother Cong’.”

“He was the captain of my high school basketball team.”

“Oh, and when we bumped into Ma Tao from Mining University at dinner, you calling him ‘Brother Tao’ over and over—what was that for?”

If the audience weren’t there, Xia Chiyi definitely would have jumped up and strangled Yang Huaiyu. Didn’t Yang Huaiyu know the reason he was afraid of Ma Tao?

“And Liu Suchen is your Daji (a famous temptress).”

After a second or two of silence, whistles erupted from the audience.

If this show aired, Yang Huaiyu would probably be hunted to the ends of the earth by Liu Suchen.

Mo Xiaojie laughed so hard she was bending over backward. “You… you guys don’t even need the production crew to provide a script! Just tearing down each other’s stage is full of highlights!”

Seeing that Xia Chiyi was about to continue tearing down his stage, Yang Huaiyu laughed, threw an arm around him, and covered his mouth. “Xiaojie, you better cue the next segment quickly. Time is limited. If we don’t start soon, it’ll be time to clock out.”

“Alright, our first segment: I Can Do It, Can You? Three chances each. Who goes first?”

“Let’s do a jump ball,” Yang Huaiyu said.

Xia Chiyi’s eyes widened, both cheeks puffing up. “Have you no shame?”

Yang Huaiyu laughed and gestured with his hand: “You first, you first. Older brother should yield to younger brother.”

Xia Chiyi took the ball without standing on ceremony, but unexpectedly the audience started chanting.

“Jump ball! Jump ball! Jump ball!”

Mo Xiaojie smiled and took the ball back from Xia Chiyi’s hands. “Listen to the soundwaves. The audience wants to see you and Yang Huaiyu do a jump ball. With the masses’ voices so high, just jump.”

Xia Chiyi glared fiercely at Yang Huaiyu. “If you lose, you have to go back, carry Liu Suchen in a princess hold, and post it to Moments!”

Whistles sounded from all directions.

“Liu Suchen isn’t on our team. Where am I supposed to find him?”

“I don’t care. Anyway, Liu Suchen will definitely watch the Southeast Regional finals to the end.”

“Fine. And if you lose the jump ball, you go back, princess-carry Zhou Zhexiao, and post it to Moments!”

Xia Chiyi jutted out his chin: “It’s just Zhou Zhexiao! Who are you looking down on!”

Yang Huaiyu: “…Can’t you just hope to beat me in the jump ball? You want to go back and princess-carry Zhou Zhexiao that badly?”

Xia Chiyi smiled. Heh, don’t say, I actually do want to.

The whistles seemed even louder than before.

Mo Xiaojie stood on the half-court line and tossed the ball high.

Xia Chiyi and Yang Huaiyu jumped with all their might.

When the two reached their apex, Yang Huaiyu used his wingspan advantage and successfully swatted the ball away.

But Xia Chiyi seemed to land slightly later than him.

“Hmph.” Xia Chiyi pulled up his T-shirt sleeves in displeasure.

Even though he won, Yang Huaiyu’s expression wasn’t relaxed.

“Your jumping ability has improved, kid?” Yang Huaiyu’s expression wasn’t stern, but the way he looked at Xia Chiyi held a trace of wariness.

“Maybe it’s because I really, really want to see you carry Liu Suchen.”

Even though he lost the jump ball, Xia Chiyi wasn’t angry. He even made a face at Yang Huaiyu, making Yang Huaiyu really want to pull his tongue out.

For the first round, Yang Huaiyu spun the ball in his hands. The audience held their breath in anticipation. On the sidelines, Xia Chiyi put his hands on his hips, staring intently at Yang Huaiyu’s back.

What other technique did this “King of the Double Clutch” have that he, Xia Chiyi, hadn’t seen before?

“Watch closely, it’s going to be fast.” Yang Huaiyu glanced at Xia Chiyi.

He dribbled, taking a running start from the sideline. The sense of speed was like ten thousand horses galloping. Holding the ball, he jumped high. The explosive power of this guy simply treated gravity like it didn’t exist.

After taking off, he brought his knees up, almost level with his hips. The mid-air abdominal crunch left Xia Chiyi dumbfounded.

The basketball swung up and down in a massive arc in his hands, before he finished with a vicious two-handed slam dunk.

The visual impact was too strong; wild cheers erupted all around.

Yang Huaiyu tipped the ball up and glanced at Xia Chiyi. “How’s that?”

“Amazing! Super amazing! Handsome to death!” Xia Chiyi applauded like a seal, stars practically shooting out of his eyes.

Yang Huaiyu smiled and threw the ball to him. “Praising me as handsome is useless. You have to be able to do it.”

Xia Chiyi scratched his head. “No technical guidance?”

“Sprint a bit faster, jump a bit higher, use the strength of your waist and core, and dunk the ball in,” Yang Huaiyu offered “kindly.”

“That’s all useless nonsense.”

Xia Chiyi really wanted to spray some on-court trash talk at Yang Huaiyu, but the problem was he wasn’t sure he could win. If he talked trash and then lost, he’d lose face easily.

When he stood at the sideline, dribbled, and lowered his center of gravity, the whole arena was filled with cheers and encouragement.

In everyone’s mind, Xia Chiyi was good at perimeter scoring. Although he had many surprising displays of driving to the basket, there was definitely a gap between him and a forward like Yang Huaiyu.

“Don’t put too much psychological pressure on yourself. If you can do this, Du He and Shuai Bei on your team should just retire!” Yang Huaiyu’s eyes crinkled with his smile.

What an annoying guy.

“Get lost!”

Xia Chiyi closed his eyes, mentally replaying Yang Huaiyu’s movements: his take-off point, the rhythm between tension and extension of his strength, and how to compensate for the gap in speed and power between them.

Taking a deep breath, Xia Chiyi dribbled and sprinted toward the paint.

This was the first time Yang Huaiyu had seen his dribbling sprint speed. An arrow leaving the bowstring wasn’t enough to describe his momentum.

Too fast!

And incredibly fierce!

Xia Chiyi’s take-off point was closer to the basket than Yang Huaiyu’s. He didn’t make a sound, but the height of his jump amazed the crowd. Like a slingshot suspended in the air, he used his core strength, pulled his knees up, but after swinging the basketball, he missed the timing and dunked into thin air.

The whole audience let out a sound of regret, but no one booed.

Because even a fool could see the speed and explosive power displayed in Xia Chiyi’s failed dunk.

“Ahhhh—” Xia Chiyi clutched his head, extremely frustrated. “So close! Just a little bit off!”

Yang Huaiyu’s heart trembled. This guy’s physical attributes were more than just a little bit stronger than when they played the practice match.

Mo Xiaojie was also stunned. Even though Xia Chiyi failed, it was so captivating. The way he released and retracted his power truly made one’s heart skip a beat.

The corners of Yang Huaiyu’s mouth slowly curled up. He unceremoniously pressed Xia Chiyi’s head against his chest. “What exactly have you been eating, kid? Huh? What did you eat?”

“I won’t tell you!”

Pizza, cola, fish ball noodles… Can I fucking say that in public? Jiao Yingfeng will butcher me!

Mo Xiaojie announced: “The current score is 1 to 0. It’s Xia Chiyi’s turn to issue a challenge.”

Yang Huaiyu took a deep breath. “His three-point shooting skills… hitting a shot while standing out of bounds is nothing to him. To challenge his long-range shooting, can I call for outside help? I’ll need to call Jiong Li over.”

“Who’s competing in long-range shooting with you? That would just be a top student abusing a scrub.” Xia Chiyi smiled playfully at Yang Huaiyu, circling him once. “How tall are you now?”

“One ninety-eight (198 cm).”

“Oh.” Xia Chiyi nodded.

That meant he was as tall as Zhou Zhexiao.

“Let’s play something new.”

Xia Chiyi handed the ball to Yang Huaiyu and told him to hold the ball at shoulder height.

“You’re not going to use this chance to kick me, are you?”

“How could I? I’ve practiced this many times. Pinpoint accuracy.”

“I feel like I’m a target, and you’re about to throw darts.”

“Yang Huaiyu, do you have the guts?”

After saying that, Xia Chiyi took a running start and sprinted from the sideline.

With his back to him, Yang Huaiyu could feel the power transmitted through the air. Xia Chiyi launched into the air right next to him. In that moment, Yang Huaiyu’s heart seemed to take flight as well. Xia Chiyi’s hips were almost level with his shoulders. He snatched the ball held at Yang Huaiyu’s shoulder and took a massive stride in mid-air.

“Whoa—” The audience practically stood up.

Xia Chiyi viciously dunked the ball into the net. The rim vibrated. Yang Huaiyu stared blankly as Xia Chiyi swung under the basket like a pendulum.

He didn’t have the vanity to hang on the rim for long, quickly letting go and landing on the floor.

But the audience hadn’t seen enough, shouting loudly for “One more time!”

“Yang Huaiyu, your turn!” Xia Chiyi extended his left and right index fingers, making an asking-for-a-beating beckoning motion.

Yang Huaiyu knew that Xia Chiyi must have practiced this move for a long time.

He had even asked about his height. At Ningchang University, the only players close to his height were Zhou Zhexiao and Shuai Bei. But the only one who would practice this kind of trick with Xia Chiyi was probably Zhou Zhexiao.

The purpose was likely to train his jumping ability and mid-air balance.

Zhou Zhexiao really took great pains to improve Xia Chiyi’s abilities.

Of course, Yang Huaiyu couldn’t back down. “Alright, I’ll give it a try.”

“You have to find someone around your height too. If they’re shorter than you, then I’m at a disadvantage.”

Yang Huaiyu feigned viciously grinding his knuckles into the top of Xia Chiyi’s head.

Later, a staff member came out to hold the ball. Although Yang Huaiyu successfully snatched the ball, he didn’t manage to take that stride in mid-air. The imitation failed.

On the sidelines, Xia Chiyi laughed happily.

This was the training method Zhou Zhexiao had come up with during the New Year. To snatch a ball held at Zhou Zhexiao’s shoulder level, one needed to have the vertical leap height of riding on someone’s shoulders.

Ah, Zhou Zhexiao… I wonder what that guy is doing right now.

If only he had come to record this show together, they would have definitely had a lot of fun playing around.

Yang Huaiyu sighed regretfully. “Alright, it’s a 1-1 tie now. I’m going to make my next move.”

“The east wind blows, the war drums beat, on the basketball court who fears whom…”

Before Xia Chiyi could finish his rhyme, Yang Huaiyu unexpectedly pinched his cheek. Xia Chiyi let out a wail, and the audience laughed again.

“I can’t take it anymore, I want to ship them… Are boys’ brotherhoods this cute?”
“He’s so arrogant, he’s so doting. Who would have thought they’ll be mortal enemies in the game the day after tomorrow?”
“I hope one day they can become teammates. They would definitely have great chemistry—”
“Yeah, yeah! Play in the CBA, the World Youth Championship, the Asian Championship, the Olympics!”

Yang Huaiyu took the ball to the sideline. Xia Chiyi focused entirely, almost forgetting the existence of the audience.

Even if this guy’s dunk was for a performance, it had great practical combat value. He absolutely had to observe it closely.

He thought Yang Huaiyu was going to dribble and sprint again, but unexpectedly, Yang Huaiyu forcefully smashed the ball onto the floor, then sprinted off. After catching the ball in mid-air, he actually took two steps in the air, passed the basketball between his legs in a “butterfly weaving through flowers” motion, and finally dunked it into the basket.

Xia Chiyi was dumbfounded. “This… this is possible?”

Yang Huaiyu smiled. “I can do it.”

“This mid-air walk of yours defies the heavens, doesn’t it?” Xia Chiyi imitated the motion on the spot, estimating that at most he could pass the ball under his left leg. Trying to pass it under his right leg afterward would definitely be like dropping a stone into the ocean, let alone finishing with a dunk.

“If you can’t do it, just admit defeat,” Yang Huaiyu watched Xia Chiyi’s serious, pondering expression. He thought to himself that even though this kid wore all his thoughts on his face, it somehow made him even more interesting.

“A real man can yield, but never admits defeat.” Xia Chiyi punched Yang Huaiyu lightly. “You admit you’re ‘soft’, and I’ll submit right away.”

I’m soft? Yang Huaiyu thought to himself. I take back my evaluation that this kid is interesting.

Xia Chiyi went to the sideline, patted his little chest, and began his imitation.

As he leapt toward the basket, Yang Huaiyu’s heartstrings tightened.

He had deliberately done the “butterfly weaving through flowers” in mid-air. He had competed in this exact move with Liu Suchen before.

It was essentially a contest of who had longer hang time.

Pulling it out today in this setting, he just wanted to see exactly how long Xia Chiyi’s hang time was.

He was already in the air. For the first time, he passed the ball under his raised left leg, then under his raised right leg…

At this moment, Xia Chiyi was incomparably focused. His whole body was tense, all his muscles and bones working in coordination in that instant. Holding his breath, he completed the second under-the-leg pass. Yang Huaiyu’s eyes widened—Xia Chiyi was truly a little monster!

Xia Chiyi was too excited. Just as he was about to dunk… the ball slipped and smashed against the rim.

“Ahhh—” Xia Chiyi stomped his feet on the spot after landing.

It wasn’t that he couldn’t accept losing; it was just too, too, too much of a pity! How could he not have held onto the ball at the very end?

However, the audience erupted in enthusiastic applause.

“Cub is too amazing! It was like he was flying in the air!”
“Two under-the-leg passes in mid-air! This bro is godly!”
“Xia Chiyi’s scoring ability under the basket is absolutely formidable! He’ll definitely be a god-tier swingman in the future!”

Yang Huaiyu walked over and patted his shoulder. “Alright, alright, don’t be sad. It’s no big deal.”

“I was just a tiny bit off. Why did the ball drop?” Xia Chiyi looked at his palms, feeling like a five-million-dollar lottery ticket had just flown away.

“Sigh, your hands are just a tiny bit too small,” Yang Huaiyu comforted.

Standing on the side, Mo Xiaojie admitted that a rabbit seemed to have violently thumped in her heart.

—Xia Chiyi’s mid-air posture was simply too beautiful.

“The current score: Yang Huaiyu temporarily leads 2 to 1.”

Xia Chiyi sniffled. “Again!”

Yang Huaiyu thought he would use long-range shooting to win back a point, but unexpectedly, this guy insisted on competing with him under the basket.

Dribbling with his right hand, Xia Chiyi got a second ball from the production crew.

“What is this brat trying to do?” Yang Huaiyu smiled helplessly.

Xia Chiyi charged toward the basket. The ball in his right hand was heavily smashed onto the ground and bounced up. As his left hand executed a vicious slam dunk, his other hand perfectly hooked the bouncing ball, and with a mid-air spin, he dunked that second ball in as well. (Translator’s note: This is the ‘Two-Ball Dunk’ or ‘Two Dragons Playing with a Pearl’ in the Chinese text).

Many street basketball enthusiasts shouted out loud.

“Holy shit, Two-Ball Dunk! Xia Chiyi’s got skills!”

Even those who didn’t understand basketball knew this shot had a huge degree of difficulty. The approach speed, jumping ability, hang time, and the timing to grab the second ball—none could be lacking.

“Does Coach Ling know you play so flashily?” Yang Huaiyu asked, amused.

“He’s the one who taught me this!” Xia Chiyi shouted.

Yang Huaiyu rubbed the corner of his eye. “Why do I suddenly feel like I’m too conservative?”

“Yang Huaiyu, do one! Yang Huaiyu, do one!” Xia Chiyi continuously raised both hands, pumping up the atmosphere.

Yang Huaiyu pointed at Xia Chiyi. “You just wait. If I complete it, you have to do a handstand and kiss the basketball.”

“If you can’t complete it… then I’ll lower the difficulty for you: you go back, princess-carry Ke Yan, and post it to Moments!”

Yang Huaiyu sighed helplessly. This kid really wanted his life.

At that moment, Ke Yan, who was holding his laptop watching the game, suddenly let out a huge sneeze, and the screen instantly glitched.

“What the hell? My back feels chilly. Is Yang Huaiyu causing trouble outside again?”

---

[Author’s Note]

Xia Chiyi: Playing hard to get? Zhou Zhexiao, you’ve learned bad habits!
Zhou Zhexiao: What’s that?