Chapter 57: I Need You by My Side (Part 2)

Just as everyone was chattering and discussing, Ling Huanzhen added another sentence, "Although it is a rotation match, it is a pity that our Ningchang University is thin on manpower and cannot last many rounds. I hope Qincheng University will be magnanimous."

Listening to Ling Huanzhen's self-deprecating remark, Wang Xiulin in the front row of the auditorium sneered, "He plays the outnumbered card, afraid of losing, and is already making excuses."

"Exactly. I looked it up online, and Qincheng University has sent their starting lineup. What kind of special needs rotation match is this? They are simply using our basketball team as sparring partners. I have no idea what we are getting so hyped up about here."

"Just wait and see. After losing following a rotation match, I wonder how Xia Chiyi and the others will still act arrogant."

The class monitor couldn't take it anymore and said, "Do you three literally live on a bagua map? Everything out of your mouths is sarcastic and shady?"

The three fell silent for a moment, replacing their words with sarcastic smiles.

The first quarter of the match officially began, and the student union signaled everyone to put away their phones and keep quiet.

Ningchang University sent out Ye Chaoying, Xia Chiyi, Zhou Zhexiao, Du He, and Shuai Bei.

This was Du He's first time competing against a national-level center. During the jump ball, his heart was pounding wildly, while Qincheng University's Meng Ting maintained a focused expression, perfectly adapted to such a scene.

When Jiao Yingfeng tossed the ball high into the air, Du He fiercely batted it toward Ye Chaoying's direction. Before Ye Chaoying could even launch, he heard Jiao Yingfeng's whistle blow.

"Orange number 8, jump ball violation!"

An uproar broke out across the entire arena.

Du He raised his hand, and Shuai Bei walked over to pat his shoulder.

"Calm down, it's just a jump ball. What are you nervous about!"

"The opponent is last year's third place in the nation..." Du He said in a soft voice.

Murmurs arose one after another in the spectator stands.

"A violation? Why a violation? Wasn't the ball batted by our player?"

"Did Du He not jump high enough?"

"Or are you not allowed to bat the ball to Ye Chaoying?"

Listening to the surrounding discussions, Wang Xiulin sneered. Even someone like him who paid little attention to basketball understood what was going on, yet those behind him who claimed to be basketball team fans didn't even know what a "jump ball violation" was—a bunch of fake fans!

"Because that ball hadn't reached its highest point yet, and Du He made his move too early, hence the violation. To put it in layman's terms, it's like a false start in sports such as running or swimming," Wang Xiulin said coldly, crossing his arms.

"Wow, you even know that?"

"I also know this—our team committed a violation, so the possession goes to the opponents!" Wang Xiulin sneered. "Handing over possession right at the start, our basketball team really knows how to practice hospitality!"

Meng Ting of Qincheng University threw an inbound pass, and Ke Yan swiftly dribbled past the centerline, pressing directly into Ningchang University's half.

The acceleration speed left everyone in the arena staring in amazement.

"So fast..."

"He just rushed right past! As expected of Qincheng University!"

"Oh no, Li Shunchuan has already run near the three-point line!"

Ke Yan's eyes locked onto Li Shunchuan, but the ball was passed to Yang Huaiyu, who was following up from behind. Yang Huaiyu surged forward like a heavy punch, breaking through the defense of Du He and Shuai Bei, rising up for a dunk.

The momentum of his jump was so intense that the front-row audience even leaned backward.

However, Zhou Zhexiao had already jumped up to defend, his chilling oppressive force seeming to plunge straight down from the dome.

Yang Huaiyu's heartstrings tightened. He executed a mid-air body dodge without shooting.

Wait a second longer... The little monster will definitely come out!

Sure enough, Xia Chiyi jumped up to provide mid-air coverage, but a flick of Yang Huaiyu's wrist sent the ball weaving past Xia Chiyi's arm, bouncing off the backboard and dropping into the hoop.

"Oh my god... That is way too incredible!"

"I really thought Xia Chiyi was going to block that ball!"

"Damn, this Yang Huaiyu is practically professional-grade!"

Wang Xiulin had to admit that his heart had leapt into his throat at that moment. He had genuinely thought Xia Chiyi could block Yang Huaiyu's shot!

See? The strength of the nation's third-place team was simply not something Ningchang University could compare to.

"So what if they use a double-man zone defense... Didn't they still let the opponent score?" Wang Xiulin wiped the sweat from his palms onto his knees.

Yang Huaiyu landed, took a deep breath, and glanced at Xia Chiyi.

His gaze was like a blade, as if trying to pierce through Xia Chiyi's muscles and bones, seemingly saying—I have already seen through your secondary defense.

This was Yang Huaiyu in competitive mode.

Possession returned to Ningchang University.

Ye Chaoying dribbled the ball to charge into the opponent's formation, encountering a steal attempt by Ke Yan. He calmly tossed the ball away, handing it to Xia Chiyi.

Li Shunchuan rushed over to defend, assuming Xia Chiyi would dribble for another step or two since it was still a bit far from the three-point line. But he never expected Xia Chiyi to catch the ball and immediately rise up for a jump shot!

A gasp echoed through the arena. Xia Chiyi released the shot expressionless, and the paint instantly turned into a congested mass as the power forwards and centers from both sides boxed each other out, preparing to fight for the rebound.

While the entire audience waited to see who would grab this rebound, Xia Chiyi's raised right hand clenched into a fist.

"Swish—" The ball went in.

At this moment, Li Shunchuan was still two steps away from Xia Chiyi. He looked at Xia Chiyi's calm expression. This ultra-long three-pointer had been fluid and decisive.

"So... so amazing..." Li Shunchuan muttered.

Would he ever have that kind of boldness?

Ke Yan ran past him and patted the back of his head. "You need to guard him closer!"

"Oh, oh!" Li Shunchuan patted his own face, and the cross-shaped crease on his forehead suddenly narrowed.

In the first quarter, the clash between the two sides was exceptionally sharp.

Yang Huaiyu went for a layup, and Zhou Zhexiao's block echoed loudly through the basketball hall, nearly causing the stands to rise as one.

Zhou Zhexiao charged into the paint, where Meng Ting and He Zhan formed a wall. Even with a mid-air adjustment, he would face Yang Huaiyu's follow-up block, so he decisively passed the ball to Xia Chiyi.

Just as Xia Chiyi was about to shoot, Li Shunchuan stripped the ball away!

The audience's necks, having just turned to one side, had to swivel back to the other.

Li Shunchuan handed the ball to Ke Yan, only for Ke Yan to have it stolen by Ye Chaoying.

The two sides traded blows back and forth with a tremendous amount of running.

The professors in the front row clenched their fists, not daring to let out a loud breath.

Zhou Zhexiao had been playing single-man defense against Yang Huaiyu, while Xia Chiyi hovered near and far around Zhou Zhexiao intentionally or unintentionally.

Wary of Xia Chiyi's steals and long-range shooting, and simultaneously defended by Zhou Zhexiao, the duo perfectly recreated the "hobbling rope" tactic used by Liu Suchen and Geng Lu in the Final Four tournament last year. They forced Yang Huaiyu to run extensive distances, and Xia Chiyi continuously relied on shifting, near-and-far help defense to grind Yang Huaiyu right into Zhou Zhexiao's defensive range.

The game was intense and fierce. Every time Yang Huaiyu powered past Zhou Zhexiao to score, Zhou Zhexiao returned the favor in the very next possession.

By the end of the first quarter, the score had surprisingly reached 19 to 20.

As the whistle blew, a wave of synchronized breathing swept across the spectator stands.

"That scared me to death..."

"Qincheng University is so amazing. It feels completely different from those opponents in provincial tournaments."

"Yang Huaiyu is too formidable. His scoring momentum is super strong!"

"But don't you guys think Zhou Zhexiao, who was defending him, is also amazing?"

The class monitor patted Wang Xiulin on the shoulder. "How do you think our basketball team is playing?"

"Hmph, this is only the first quarter. Even if they can barely manage a tie, it doesn't mean anything for the final result. Talk to me after the last quarter if they haven't collapsed yet."

Wang Xiulin kept his hands shoved in his pockets, his palms soaked with sweat.

He never expected that he would be watching so intently.

This was his first time watching a basketball game, yet his heart felt like it had turned into that ball, tossed high and fought over.

He never expected that in a practice match against a powerhouse like Qincheng University, not a single player on the basketball team would slack off. These ten minutes of play didn't contain a single drop of wasted effort.

Both teams retreated to the sidelines. Yang Huaiyu took a sip of water and said in a low voice, "I need someone to help me."

The other four froze. This was the first time they had ever heard Yang Huaiyu say he needed help.

And it was just in a practice match.

They all stopped wiping their sweat and looked at him.

Ke Yan slowly broke into a smile and raised his chin. "Tell us, how can we help?"

"Double-teaming Zhou Zhexiao? This guy's slashing ability is way too strong. He's definitely on the same level as Liu Suchen," Meng Ting took a deep breath. "They really imitate Qingda University to a T..."

"Not double-teaming Zhou Zhexiao... I'm afraid only I can hold him off. I need someone to help me cut off his connection with Xia Chiyi. I never know when Xia Chiyi is going to come in for a steal, and I never know when he's going to double-team. He's like another shoe that refuses to drop, so annoying." Yang Huaiyu gave a helpless smile and raised his hand.

"Got it, I'll do it." Ke Yan raised his hand.

"No, you still need to organize the offense. Besides, that Ye Chaoying on their team has exceptional stealing ability, so you need to protect the ball. Xia Chiyi... leave him to me." Li Shunchuan picked up a towel, wiped his chin, and turned his face to stare at Xia Chiyi's back.

Only a shooter truly understands a shooter.

"Please." Yang Huaiyu locked eyes earnestly with Li Shunchuan.

The 130-second break passed in the blink of an eye, and all the players returned to the court.

The moment Xia Chiyi lifted his gaze, he locked eyes with Li Shunchuan—a cold gaze radiating a suffocating, appraising chill.

Even the slightly drooping corners of his eyes seemed to conceal a razor-sharp gleam.

This guy was evaluating whether Xia Chiyi posed a real threat to his status as the number one marksman in the Southeast Division.

"Interesting." Xia Chiyi tilted his head and shot Li Shunchuan a wink.

Li Shunchuan froze for a second and grabbed Ke Yan. "I just used my eyes to provoke Xia Chiyi, and the guy actually winked at me!"

"Right, right, you provoked him, but he didn't take it seriously at all, so you need to make him smoke on the court," Ke Yan patted Li Shunchuan's shoulder dismissively.

"How could he not take my provocation seriously? That's so rude!"

"Right, right, not only is he rude, but he's also brazenly planning to challenge your status."

"Unbelievable!"

The second quarter began with Ningchang University in possession. Shuai Bei threw the inbound pass from the baseline, and the match instantly escalated into a fierce battle.

Qincheng University came on aggressively, as if ready to burn themselves down to ashes.

Xia Chiyi was kept in check by Li Shunchuan. His jab steps and various swaying head-fakes failed to work; Li Shunchuan maintained tight, glued-on defense. Xia Chiyi had to be much more cautious with his shots, which left him with no spare time to provide help defense for Zhou Zhexiao.

Unshackled from his shackles, Yang Huaiyu played as if possessed. He could fiercely contest Zhou Zhexiao for a layup.

Knowing that Zhou Zhexiao possessed heaven-defying hang time, Yang Huaiyu took an unorthodox approach during his mid-air adjustment, daring to wait until his toes were almost touching the ground, releasing his floater only after seeing Zhou Zhexiao descend.