As the friendly match was about to turn into a brawl, the referee rushed forward at the risk of taking at least two heavy punches from Huo Chengdong to separate them.
Huo Chengdong and his gang helped their injured teammate, who had fallen, to the side to rest.
The teammate waved his hand, "Brother Cheng, I sprained my ankle. I guess I can't continue. Plus, I can't really keep up with the pace."
"I can't keep up with the pace either. Mainly because I practiced too intensely these couple days. My legs are like wet noodles," another said.
Huo Chengdong: "You all look young and athletic, but can barely make up half an ass."
Huo Chengdong glanced at the first half score.
7:13.
They were all ready to give up. "Where the hell am I gonna find substitutes?"
Feng Wenzhong popped up, "Young Huo, I'm pretty good at basketball."
Huo Chengdong wanted to beat him up. "Did you forget what happened at your school? I'm pissed right now. It'd be better if you make yourself scarce."
Wearing jersey number one, Huo Chengdong stood with his hands on his hips, glaring at the gloating opponents.
And the cheerleading team came out again to hype up the crowd.
The more Huo Chengdong looked, the more annoyed he got. Suddenly, he had an idea.
Qiao Ying was replying to Qin Hanyue's message when Huo Chengdong's phone call came in.
"Hey Sis Ying, I'm in the middle of a match. We finished the first half. Did you come?" His eyes searched the spacious bleachers.
Qiao Ying ruthlessly ridiculed, "7 to 13. You're playing like shit. I was about to head over. Why'd you call me?"
"Don't leave yet. My teammate got injured and can't play. There are no substitutes. Help me think of something."
Qiao Ying: "Can you get an alternate player? Give me a day and I can find NBA players for you. Which ones do you want?"
Huo Chengdong didn't think she was joking at all.
"Come on. This is a student match, not an international tournament. What I mean is, Sis Ying, can you play basketball?"
"No."
Huo Chengdong's heart sank halfway. He just heard Qiao Ying mock their terrible play. And considering Qiao Ying's demonstration of skills on the school track, he thought she was a hidden basketball genius.
Turns out, her answer was a blunt no.
At least she was honest.
Huo Chengdong looked at his teammate whose foot hurt. "It's fine if you can't play. You can shoot accurately, right? I'll coordinate with you. A couple three pointers from you, win or lose, at least we won't lose too ugly."
"Sis Ying, help a brother out. This score difference is just too embarrassing. I kinda want to pick a fight with them after the match, at least to win something so we don't lose face this badly."
Look at this law student already plotting something to save face and confuse the focal point.
Aside from Qiao Ying not knowing how to play basketball, her arm was also injured and healing.
While Huo Chengdong was begging Qiao Ying for help on the phone, another voice cut in, "If you need a substitute, someone from our team can lend you one."
The opponent's basketball captain walked up to Huo Chengdong.
Was this good intention? No, this was provocation.
Huo Chengdong's sharp eyes swept over him. Facing the opponent's gloating, Huo Chengdong and his teammates' faces darkened.
"Quit your bullshit. You have two seconds to get your ass back to your spot and sit tight. Didn't ask for your opinion. Understand? And call your damned cheer team back. It's halftime break. Fuck, they danced the same routine three times. It's hurting my eyes."
But the opponent feigned innocence. "Young Master Huo, friendship first, competition second. I meant well. What happened is truly unfortunate."
Huo Chengdong: "Say one more word and I'll make you wear a skirt and lead the squad, believe me or not?"
Chen Sheng nodded, "Since you don't need a substitute, then nevermind. Good luck."
It was then Qiao Ying's indifferent voice sounded, "I'll go in."
"Sis Ying." Huo Chengdong looked at his phone, just realizing the call had ended. But that wasn't important. "Sis Ying, you'll go in?" Huo Chengdong's eyes lit up.
Chen Sheng looked at Qiao Ying, a stunning look flashed in his eyes.
And the spectators who saw Qiao Ying appear on court also started buzzing.
Especially those from the other school. They craned their necks.
"Peking University's campus belle? She's much prettier in person than in photos. Way more beautiful than our campus belle too. And that's her bare face. Is that skin and hair real?"
"That figure peeking through the sweater. We actually saw her in person. Worth the trip here. Gotta take pics quick."
"If I had tried a little harder back then and tested into Peking University, nevermind if there's a goddess like campus belle. The point is, I wanted to see the legendary Qin Third Master and Master Lawyer Cheng in person too!"
"And there's that silver-haired hottie who drives a sports car. He made a stunning appearance at their freshman welcome party last year. Their forums still have a bunch of pics of him. I'll stop here. The more I say, the more I hate."
"So can someone tell me what's her deal? How does she know all these big shots?"
Chen Sheng stared at Qiao Ying. "Nice to meet you. I'm Chen Sheng from the school over. I've heard a lot about you but never had the chance to meet—"
Before Chen Sheng finished, Huo Chengdong suddenly cut in, "Did you hear that Qin Hanyue is chasing her?"
Just one sentence shattered all of Chen Sheng's fantasies.
Chen Sheng forcibly kept up appearances, still somewhat unwilling to give up. "I only heard you know Qin Third Master. You have quite an age difference so I thought you were relatives or friends."
Huo Chengdong held up his phone. "OK, recorded it. Gonna send it to Qin Hanyue."
Chen Sheng instantly changed expressions, unable to conceal his panic as he looked at Huo Chengdong's phone. "Young Master Huo, there's no need for that right?"
Qiao Ying spoke in an aloof tone, seeming both to remind and warn Chen Sheng, "That was very rude."
Chen Sheng: "Sorry, I just—"
Qiao Ying: "You should head back and get ready. Also, remind your teammates to be careful during physical contact on court."
Chen Sheng swallowed his humiliation and turned to leave but looked back at Qiao Ying again. "May I ask if you'll go in as a substitute?"
Huo Chengdong: "Does your family sell tractors? Quit your yammering."
Chen Sheng ignored Huo Chengdong, not sure if it was out of gentlemanly kindness or sarcastic regard for Qiao Ying. "If you're going in, I'll take it easy on you."
Huo Chengdong: "Shame on your mother!"
Qiao Ying: "Wanna bet?"
Chen Sheng: "Bet what?"
Qiao Ying: "You'll lose. Go around Peking University campus topless."
If not for Zhang Principal's old age, she wouldn't even let them keep their pants.
Chen Sheng sneered contemptuously. "Fine. If you lose, who'll run?" His eyes shifted to Huo Chengdong.
Huo Chengdong: "If we lose, I'll lead my team on the run."
Chen Sheng laughed. "I look forward to it."
Before leaving, he took another look at Qiao Ying. If not for considering Qin Hanyue and Huo Chengdong, he would've definitely done something.
"We're really gonna run if we lose? I'm not playing second half. I don't have to run, right?" the teammate with the sprained ankle half-joked.
As expected, he suffered another tongue-lashing from Huo Chengdong.
Huo Chengdong hitched up his jersey. "I have abs. Like I'm afraid. Even if I have to take my pants off, I have the capital for it."
His teammate looked at him. "......"
Qiao Ying looked at him. "......"
Xu Zhilǐ, who had followed them, spoke up expressionlessly, "Or I can go in. My basketball skills aren't great but I am a guy so I have some strength at least. If it really doesn't work out, I can ask my brother. Aside from studying, he plays basketball to exercise when free. He's pretty good."
Huo Chengdong: "Stay out of this. It's not your turn yet."
Qiao Ying: "I'll take 1st position. I intercept."
What the hell? "I'll take 1st position. I intercept." She didn't even know power forward from point guard.
That precise, cool three pointer from far away last time—was that just luck and strength?
"Sis Ying, you'll take center? You're what...1.65 meters? Chen Sheng is 1.8 meters! I don't have abs. None at all. So if possible, I'd like to keep some face." His teammate said weakly.
A few teammates murmured agreement.
Huo Chengdong: "Sis Ying, can you really play center?"
Qiao Ying: "Don't believe me? Let's go."
Huo Chengdong: "I believe, I believe! You take the spot."
With Huo Chengdong's approval, the other teammates didn't dare object.
Oh well. It's not like they could win anyway. Qiao Ying as center or not wouldn't make much difference between just losing ugly or losing really ugly.
Before taking the court, Huo Chengdong explained the rules to Qiao Ying.
"Sis Ying, understand?"
Qiao Ying stood with both hands tucked into her big sweater pocket. "Mm-hmm."
By halftime she had already figured out the rules.
Not that she needed to abide by these rules, since she wouldn't even come close to breaking them.
Huo Chengdong and a few of his teammates, upon hearing this "Mm-hmm", couldn't help but rub their own bellies.
Huo Chengdong consoled: "It's alright. Sis Ying, why don't you change into different clothes? That sweatshirt and cap are so bulky and get in the way."
Qiao Ying: "It's just 15 minutes, not worth the effort."
