Chapter 5: Innate Harmony

Just as the assistant was about to say that Sheng Xingming was leaving, Sheng Xingming caught the basketball that Xia Chiyi handed over, looked into his eyes, and said, “Alright, I’ll teach you.”

He explained everything slowly, his calm voice like a gentle, invisible thread weaving through the air in circles, softly touching Xia Chiyi’s young heart—restrained yet embracing.

When Xia Chiyi grew nervous after several failed dribbling attempts, Sheng Xingming supported him up and placed him on the steps, then bent down to meet his gaze at eye level.

For the first time, Xia Chiyi saw Sheng Xingming’s eyes so clearly—bright and tender amber. Sheng Xingming gently clasped the tips of Xia Chiyi’s fingers and swung them as if flicking a rope.

“Relax. Dribbling is the starting point of shooting; it’s the extension of all your strength from your legs to the ball. Don’t fear it—enjoy it.”

Xia Chiyi still remembered the firm, dry pressure of his hands.

“It’s our turn.”

Zhou Zhexiao’s cool voice rang out, pulling Xia Chiyi’s thoughts back from the memory to the present.

Yes, it was their turn again.

Setting aside the question of how Zhou Zhexiao knew about Xia Chiyi’s past struggles with dribbling, today was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity—they had to beat Gao Qing so thoroughly that hearing their names would make him avoid them.

The next few minutes were a nightmare for Gao Qing and Lü Hang.

Lü Hang personally guarded Zhou Zhexiao, naïvely thinking Zhou was only fast, but he never expected Zhou’s ball-handling to be that masterful.

With a wide, deceptive crossover, Zhou dragged the ball from left to right like a magic trick impossible to follow visually. Lü Hang was powerless, forced to watch Zhou stride away easily and pass the ball to Xia Chiyi.

Xia Chiyi took a step back and jump-shot right in front of Gao Qing, scoring effortlessly.

On the sidelines, Xu Mi’s heart raced wildly. Zhou Zhexiao’s style was absolutely professional—sharp and decisive as if forged through countless fierce battles.

He charged forward relentlessly yet happened to meet Xia Chiyi.

They could strike directly at the opponent’s core or shoot from afar with deadly precision.

Like finally assembling the two jokers in a deck of cards.

Xia Chiyi glanced sideways at Zhou Zhexiao for a full three seconds. Perhaps sensing the gaze, Zhou asked, “What’s up?”

“Teach me a move too.”

“Are you in elementary school?”

Xia Chiyi snorted softly—elementary school kids only know “bounce, bounce, and bounce again,” okay?

Opposite them, Lü Hang’s brows knitted tightly. Despite training with Gao Qing for so long and understanding each other’s playstyle and routines, he still felt helpless at times.

But what about Zhou Zhexiao and Xia Chiyi? Zhou hadn’t returned to the country before, so how was Xia’s passing seemingly tailor-made for him?

No matter the behind-the-back, quick, or long pass, Zhou caught the ball and scored instantly.

Their timing and positioning were impeccable.

At this moment, Gao Qing’s defense on Xia Chiyi was on the brink of mental collapse.

“Hasn’t it been ten minutes yet? Has the middle school timer forgotten to stop the clock?”

He was exhausted—truly exhausted.

Xia Chiyi spun and broke through; Gao Qing thought he had kept up but didn’t expect Xia to pass the ball during the turn!

A smooth 180-degree move!

“Guard Zhou Zhexiao—” Gao Qing’s voice came too late.

The two finally reached the basket before Zhou Zhexiao, though it seemed like Zhou was holding back.

Zhou jumped, his eyes devoid of emotion, pressing down fiercely. Gao Qing and Lü Hang desperately formed a human wall in midair, but Zhou’s hand never rose; he didn’t even look back—he just flicked the ball gently toward the right rear.

He passed?

Gao Qing and Lü Hang were stunned into silence, and even Xu Mi watching from the sidelines widened her eyes.

Everyone expected a dunk or a layup with a switch of hands—who would have guessed a pass?

Xia Chiyi seemed to have a divine vantage point, arriving early to catch the ball steadily and score effortlessly in an open shot.

The junior high students outside whistled excitedly.

Xu Mi stood there dumbfounded; she couldn’t comprehend this coordination.

Was it coincidence or innate tacit understanding?

Liu Shun shouted loudly, “Ten minutes are up!”

Gao Qing and Lü Hang swayed where they stood; the moment their nerves relaxed, they almost collapsed on the spot.

Zhou Zhexiao turned to look at Xia Chiyi. The short-haired boy was still catching his breath, but Zhou heard the pounding in his own chest like a mountain drum, a sign of boiling anticipation.

Their opponents were too weak; victory was certain.

So Zhou tested this boy in every way.

Can you keep up with me?

Can you always be in the right position?

Do you really know what kind of pass I need?

But Xia Chiyi’s nerves seemed wired directly to Zhou’s, even predicting the speed of his behind-the-back pass.

And that last pass—Zhou threw it, and even a longtime teammate might not have caught it, but Xia was there.

Not a moment early, nor late.

Xia looked at him with eyes so bright and trusting, like a young lion yet to fully mature, brimming with speed, power, and all possibilities.

When Zhou fought alone, this little lion would lurk nearby, observing and learning—not to share his prey affectionately but to strike deadly blows against their foes when Zhou was in danger.

Then proudly look at him as if to say: See, you need me.

A spontaneous impulse had hit the mark perfectly.

“Nice catch.”

Zhou Zhexiao walked up and ruffled the boy’s hair hard.

Xia Chiyi scrunched his nose and eyes, then showed a reluctant expression. “Don’t just mess with my head because you’re taller!”

Zhou turned his face, leaned close to Xia’s ear, and whispered something.

Xia’s eyes widened, staring at him. “Whoa? That could break bones!”

Zhou glanced at him coldly, the unspoken message: Don’t dare? Then don’t learn.

Xia Chiyi approached Gao Qing, who was still sitting on the ground, wiping sweat from his face. As Gao looked up, he saw Xia’s cocky expression.

“Still think you’re a king? How’s the kneeling practice going?”

“Damn—” Gao Qing instantly lost his temper. Just as he raised his fist, his gaze met Zhou Zhexiao’s.

That icy aura crushed his heart, leaving him stunned, and Xia had already slipped out of his attack range.

Liu Shun excitedly ran over and high-fived Xia. “You guys are amazing—actually beat people from the provincial team!”

Xia lowered his head, unaffected by the victory, whispering, “They were just substitutes; the real provincial players are strong. There’s no way they’d be crushed like this.”

“Oh—” Liu Shun nodded in understanding.

Gao Qing’s face was dark, and Lü Hang tugged him, signaling, “Let’s go.”

“When you’re outmatched, impotent rage just makes you look like a clown,” Lü whispered, patting his teammate on the back.

Gao’s eyes were bloodshot, but he held back tears fiercely.

Xu Mi approached Xia Chiyi with a smile. “Not bad. I was worried you’d give up basketball, but today you’re even better.”

“Thanks.” Xia scratched the back of his head.

Xu glanced toward Zhou Zhexiao standing not far off, expression neutral, chin slightly raised. Sunlight fell through the slightly curled bangs and lashes, like a god descending from the heights—aloof yet waiting for someone to approach.

“You two are strong. Together, even stronger. But I didn’t understand the last pass. Your final run wasn’t where Zhou would find it easiest to pass. I saw no signals between you. How did you know he’d pass to the right side?”

Xia scratched his head, somewhat embarrassed. “Honestly, I wasn’t sure. He’s so good, with lots of experience. Real games aren’t just two against two—they’re five.”

Hearing this, Xu seemed to grasp Xia’s thinking.

“Zhou drives right-handed. If blocked midair, passing left is easier. But opponents know that, so defenders would cover his left and left-rear side,” Xu analyzed along Xia’s line of thought.

Xia put his hands in his pockets, looking toward Zhou. “I believe experienced Zhou would do the opposite—pass to the right rear. If a teammate’s there with good aim, they might score unguarded. Even if not, Zhou’s got the rebound advantage.”

Zhou, who had been silent, suddenly spoke: “If you miss, go home.”

“Hahaha, are you a tyrant?” Xia tilted his head.

“Forgot to ask—what university are you and Zhou from? Provincial Normal? Provincial Sports Institute? Or Chengjiang College?” Xu asked.

Xia draped an arm over Zhou’s shoulder. “We’re students in the Economics and Management Department at Ningchang University!”

Xu’s expression froze.

Nearby, junior high student Liu Shun shouted, “What? That hopeless Ningchang University? That’s like two flowers stuck in manure!”

“How’s that not twin blooming flowers? No one’s sticking flowers in manure!” Xia rubbed Liu’s head with mock annoyance.

Liu waved Xia’s hand away. “Who doesn’t know Ningchang University’s basketball team lost every game last year in the Southeast Division of the College Basketball League? They didn’t even rank 7th to 10th among seven provinces and one city! No team is more ‘glorious’ than Ningchang!”

Hearing this, Xu felt a pang of sympathy. She suddenly wanted to do something for them, to prevent them from being buried without a chance.

Liu continued, “Though Ningchang’s chance to break out of the Southeast Division is about as slim as the national football team’s chance to escape Asia, I’ll still cheer for you guys!”

Xia placed his hands on his hips. “Thanks a lot!”

Liu pulled out his WeChat QR code. “Scan it, add me as a friend.”

Xia joked, “What, since I go to a key university, you want to hire me to do your homework?”

“You’re doing well. If you really enter a tournament, even an amateur Sunshine League, I’ll bring people to cheer for you.”