Chapter Thirty-Six: The First Practice of Four on the Baseball Field

The one who spoke was the tall boy who had earlier toasted Zhuang Bi. At this moment, he too was burning with excitement upon seeing the twelve girls. The tall boy, named Zhao Hui, played center for the second-year basketball team.

The thirteen of them continued drinking and playing, but without exception, each man’s eyes were glued to the girl beside him—something Zhuang Bi naturally noticed. They drank quite a lot; it was just after eight when Zhuang Bi arranged a private room for each of them.

...

As for Feng Yisheng and his three companions, they were still practicing teamwork on the basketball court. Sometimes, high school and college students would come to the park, as well as a few office workers. Most people who played pickup games had some skill, and a few were quite impressive, but real teamwork was rare.

At that moment, Feng Yisheng and his group were playing a half-court game against four office workers. The match turned into a one-man show for Feng Yisheng, who scored one basket after another, improving his skills through this constant competition. The four office workers were helpless; they simply couldn’t defend against him.

Through the game, Feng Yisheng realized that Zhou Chuyi was quite good. His height gave him a clear advantage in the paint—no one could out-rebound him. Yun Longkong and Wan Shui were also decent, but they lacked stamina. Feng Yisheng decided he would channel some spiritual energy into each of them before Friday’s match to help them out.

The four played from seven until nine. After two hours of pickup games, their teamwork improved significantly. At first, it was all about Feng Yisheng’s solo performance, but soon the other three loosened up and started to shine as well, and together they dominated the court.

Their opponents changed again and again—from office workers to college students—but none could defeat the four of them. After returning home at nine, Feng Yisheng and the others exchanged high-fives in farewell. In the instant their palms met, Feng Yisheng discreetly transferred a bit of spiritual energy to each of them, though none realized it.

He did this to help them recover their strength more easily, so they wouldn’t feel too exhausted once home. Each went their own way. After returning home, Feng Yisheng practiced the Pure Yang Technique once, then began his evening review session, just as he’d promised their homeroom teacher, He Lan.

...

Thursday morning arrived.

As soon as Feng Yisheng entered the classroom, his classmates were already abuzz about the match he’d have the next day, doubting his chances as always.

Just before noon, a classmate came to look for Feng Yisheng and took him outside the classroom. The classmate explained that he’d tried to message Feng Yisheng on the school forum but hadn’t received a reply, so he came directly to his class.

After a brief conversation, Feng Yisheng understood his intent and asked, “You want to join the game with the second-year basketball team tomorrow afternoon? But you…”

Feng Yisheng looked him up and down. The boy was under 1.7 meters, perhaps 1.65 at most.

That gave Feng Yisheng pause. Even if everyone doubted their chances against Zhuang Bi, they couldn’t just let anyone fill in.

“Feng Yisheng, don’t judge a book by its cover. I may be short, but I can spin! Uh... just kidding,” the boy said.

“My name is Luo Shan. Let’s go to the basketball court—I guarantee you’ll want me on your team tomorrow.”

Feng Yisheng chuckled at Luo Shan’s antics. “Alright.”

Without another word, Feng Yisheng grabbed a ball from the classroom corner, and the two made their way to the court. Since most students had gone to dinner, the court was nearly empty.

Luo Shan walked to the left side of the key and said, “Stand here with the ball. When I run in, toss it up—not too high.”

Feng Yisheng nodded. Luo Shan moved beyond the three-point line, signaled for Feng Yisheng to get into position, and when all was ready, sprinted toward the basket. Less than a meter from the paint, he shouted, “Now!”

Feng Yisheng tossed the ball just right, at rim height. As it rose, Luo Shan leaped, catching the ball midair, and with his right hand executed a tomahawk dunk, sending the ball through the hoop and the net flying.

...

Now it was Feng Yisheng’s turn to be stunned. The rim was 3.15 meters high, and at 1.65 meters tall, Luo Shan could dunk? Was he a flea? How could he jump so high? Feng Yisheng was amazed—truly, hidden talents abound, and Luo Shan’s bounce was nearly NBA-level.

Although shocked, Feng Yisheng quickly clapped his hands and laughed. “Impressive! With hops like that, why aren’t you on the basketball team?”

“That’s... a personal matter. Can we leave it at that?” Luo Shan replied, though Feng Yisheng caught a fleeting look of disappointment on his face.

“Oh, no problem. I formally invite you to join tomorrow’s game as our point guard,” Feng Yisheng said with a smile.

Given his height, Luo Shan could only play point guard. No matter how incredible his jumping, there were limits—he couldn’t play in the paint. And point guard was their only open spot, so Feng Yisheng assigned him to it.

Luo Shan didn’t object; they exchanged a high-five.

...

Feng Yisheng had originally planned to eat with Zhou Chuyi and the others, but thinking they had already finished, he took Luo Shan for a meal instead.

That evening, Feng Yisheng gathered the four of them again for another two hours of pickup games. Their teamwork wasn’t perfect, but all had a solid basketball foundation, which was enough for now. Feng Yisheng didn’t expect them to dominate the official team—he only hoped they wouldn’t fall too far behind. As for their stamina, a little more spiritual energy would suffice.

The night passed uneventfully.

...

Friday arrived quickly. Perhaps because of Feng Yisheng’s blunt words the other day, Chen Yunxi hadn’t spoken to him for two days. With the match looming, Feng Yisheng didn’t seek her out either.

Yet, he sometimes noticed Chen Yunxi stealing glances at him. Whenever he met her gaze, she’d quickly look away.

This made Feng Yisheng suspicious—when did this top student start liking him?