Xiao Yi’an was a bit confused, unable to understand what Ye Qingchang really meant.
But there was no time for him to think it over; both teams’ players were already gathering on the court, just waiting for the second whistle to signal the start of the game.
He noticed that the opponent’s lineup had changed somewhat.
For example, that afro traitor who had obviously thrown a point to his own teammate last round and even helped block for them—the one suspected of being bribed—had been swapped out, and was now at the sidelines getting beaten up by the others.
Yet even as he was being beaten, Xiao Yi’an could vaguely hear the laughter from their side, as if he had just won his future life.
Unfortunately, Xiao Yi’an rather suspected the guy might actually be an M.
But compared to before the timeout, their formation this time had clearly shifted to address the previous defeat.
They double-teamed Xu Nian, who was dribbling forward slowly, and forced him to pass.
They also blocked off his other teammates.
Because on their side, there was a guy who couldn’t play guarding the basket—he couldn’t even keep up when pulled out for a one-on-one, at best he was half a player.
Add to that Gou Yu, who roamed left and right at midcourt, and Liu Anran, who was basically strolling—both were actually easy to guard.
Xu Nian was quickly pressed from both sides until he had no choice but to pass.
He tossed the ball to the closest person, Liu Anran, but Liu Anran didn’t catch it.
Xiao Yi’an’s biggest worry happened.
When everyone on their team was playing solo, the opponents easily passed with coordinated teamwork, breezing past Gou Yu who was guarding near half-court, and scored right in front of that “half-player” under the basket.
Things were starting to look bad.
Still, Xu Nian, the most skilled dribbler, took the ball, and once again was forced to pass. This time he chose Gou Yu.
But Gou Yu was too far away, and Xu Nian, pressured for space, couldn’t pass with any force, resulting in the ball being intercepted midair.
Another lost point.
After losing two points in a row, even the ever-optimistic Gou Yu couldn’t hide the ugly look on his face.
Once again, they had to inbound the ball after losing a point.
Xu Nian frowned, seemingly thinking hard about how to break the deadlock.
“Give it to me.”
Xiao Yi’an, standing nearby, reached out his hand.
Xu Nian hesitated for a second, but still handed the ball to his teammate.
Then, Xiao Yi’an pointed to the opponent’s backcourt. Xu Nian immediately understood and picked up his pace, running over.
As expected, the player with the ball would get double-teamed.
Xiao Yi’an knew his shooting wasn’t as good as Liu Anran’s, his dribbling not as good as Xu Nian’s, and his physique not as good as Gou Yu’s.
But his teammates were all scattered points, needing threads to connect them.
So he would be that net.
As he advanced, he motioned for Gou Yu, who was supposed to be guarding the first line, to just give up and follow along.
He watched every player’s footwork on the court.
Finally, he waited it out—waited for that player beside Xu Nian to lose patience and inch closer to him.
At lightning speed, he passed the ball to Xu Nian.
But the two remaining defenders had already reacted and surrounded Xu Nian.
There were two quick claps. Instinctively, Xu Nian passed toward the sound—the spot where Xiao Yi’an had just shaken off his mark.
Xiao Yi’an caught the ball and, without even looking at the enemy player he hadn’t completely shaken off, decisively passed the ball to Liu Anran, who was now wide open in front.
Liu Anran only needed a second and a half to secure the ball and shoot, and during that second and a half, the defender who’d just rushed to trap Xiao Yi’an had no time to recover.
The ball went in.
It wasn’t just the opponents who were stunned; even his own team looked a bit shocked.
It was as if someone had suddenly used a cheat code to max out their teamwork.
Xiao Yi’an let out a breath of relief.
Honestly, of everyone on the court right now, the only one he really knew was Xu Nian, but at least nobody here was hard to get along with.
He took two steps back, watching the opposing team, faces full of disbelief, inbound the ball, and then shot a glance at Xu Nian, who was roaming the court.
Within just five seconds of the inbound, the ball was back in their hands.
But Xu Nian was already double-teamed and, following the sound of clapping, passed again to Xiao Yi’an.
Unfortunately, the other side seemed to have already figured out Xiao Yi’an’s intention—the goggle-wearing team captain had already leapt in front of Xiao Yi’an, trying to block.
The boy who had taken off his glasses didn’t change his expression, just tossed the ball up high and bent down a little.
Suddenly, a shadow loomed over—Gou Yu, whom Xiao Yi’an had called over earlier.
He caught the ball, propped himself on Xiao Yi’an’s shoulder, and, right over the not-quite-tall-enough opposing captain, dunked the ball in again.
Another chorus of gasps from the crowd.
The opponent’s fighting spirit, which had just been rekindled, was snuffed out again.
Gou Yu jumped down from the rim, shaking his sore hands.
Then he looked at Xiao Yi’an—this guy he’d always known for his electronic pets—like he was seeing another side of him.
Xiao Yi’an was catching his breath.
All they had to do now was keep playing like this.
When he looked up, he saw a hand raised in the air.
It was Gou Yu’s hand, waiting to high-five him.
A bit woodenly, Xiao Yi’an raised his hand too, and was greeted by Gou Yu’s enthusiastic slap.
It stung a little, leaving Xiao Yi’an’s palm tingling.
“Bro, nice play.”
A strange fullness washed over Xiao Yi’an along with the tingling in his hand.
Unlike before, when everything felt hazy and aimless.
He felt something completely new—like he wasn’t living for any purpose, not for anyone.
It was as if he’d suddenly returned to before his parents’ accident.
He could feel it clearly: he was still alive.
He didn’t have to force himself to think, to follow along with someone reading some famous work, to turn himself into what someone else liked, to try to understand another’s thoughts, just to find a common topic.
Just by being himself, doing what he did, he could still earn respect and affection from others.
He remembered Ye Qingchang’s words.
He didn’t have to depend on anyone; he just had to live as himself and own his own life. That was how people would like him.
Suddenly, Xiao Yi’an understood.
It was this basketball game, and Ye Qingchang, that made him realize this.
Maybe he should thank the Literature Club president, Ye Qingchang.
He looked to the sidelines, searching for Ye Qingchang’s figure.
He found her, but Ye Qingchang only glanced at him indifferently before looking away.
“Third Sis, your electronic pet seems pretty good at basketball.” Zhu Niao nudged Ye Qingchang, who was drinking water, like she’d waited for this moment.
“Not anymore,” Ye Qingchang said blandly.
“Huh?”
“He doesn’t need me anymore, and I don’t want to meddle either. Let’s call it even.” Ye Qingchang screwed the lid back on her drink.
Screwed on tight, not a single drop could escape.
Oh? is Xiao Yi`an gonna chase her now?