Chapter Thirty: The Battle Between Dragon and Tiger

When Yang Li encountered such a prodigy, how could he not value this talent? But why was Lin Fei still being made to accept a substitute role? After all, people are not saints—who doesn’t hold grudges? Back when Lin Fei took on the entire department team by himself, it was such a dazzling feat that, for many, it became a knot in their hearts that could never be untied. Yang Li had considered this. Moreover, in this team, ability alone wasn’t enough; much depended on how you conducted yourself and your seniority.

At first, Lin Fei’s training focused mainly on physical conditioning and shooting practice. This was hardly a challenge for him, since he’d long since built up his endurance. The coach never let Lin Fei participate in team scrimmages, and many couldn’t understand why the coach favored this newcomer so much. Even with talent, shouldn’t there be limits?

The coach also tried to cultivate Lin Fei’s ability to read the game. Lin Fei’s height made him most suited to play the point guard—the brain of the team, who must remain clear-headed at all times and control the team’s rhythm and ball movement. Although Lin Fei had played this position on the department team, he clearly hadn’t done enough. Back then, his teammates were less capable, making Lin Fei the undisputed core; every play started and ended with him. There was little need for sophisticated tactics. His isolation skills could certainly dominate, but it was clear that, in terms of reading the game, he still had work to do before reaching the level of a top-tier playmaker. Even now, on the school team, number 24, number 3, and number 1 all read the game better than he did.

During training, the coach deliberately paired Lin Fei with his teammates to build chemistry, but that required time, so Lin Fei felt rather stifled in his first days on the school team.

When the group training session ended and the coach left, only two people remained on the court. One was still tirelessly practicing three-pointers—naturally, Lin Fei. The other was working on his mid-range jump shot with elegant form. It could only be number 24, the one known as both the Rukawa Kaede and the Kobe of the Mountain Finance Department.

“Interested in a one-on-one? This kind of practice is much more effective,” he said.

Lin Fei looked at the strikingly handsome young man and smiled. “You’re not tired after a whole afternoon of scrimmaging?”

“I never get tired facing a master,” came the reply.

“Really? Doesn’t your girlfriend want you to spend time with her?” As soon as Lin Fei asked, he felt it might have been an inappropriate question.

But number 24 answered without hesitation, “She has her own hobbies. Right about now, she’ll be doing her own thing, just like I am. This is my time to practice.”

“My ankle’s still not quite right; I’m not used to contact play yet. Besides, you’ve been training so long, you should rest.” For some reason, Lin Fei didn’t show his usual eagerness to accept the challenge, which was unlike him.

Suddenly, a clear, ringing voice echoed through the gym: “Yun Zhongyue, time for dinner!” Lin Fei instinctively looked over. That voice could only belong to one person: Senior Sister Duan Tingting.

“What are you two still doing?” Duan Tingting asked, her tone softer now.

“Practicing. I wanted to have a little match with your junior,” Yun Zhongyue replied.

“Great! I want to see it. Didn’t you say the other day that you two were about the same level? Let me see for myself. Finish quickly so we can eat.”

Lin Fei didn’t know what to say. This third wheel was shining bright indeed.

Yun Zhongyue turned to Lin Fei. “Let’s play a game. It’s bound to happen sooner or later. I know Coach Yang thinks highly of you. He likes to use guards as scorers. Right now, the team has two excellent scoring guards: you and me. Sooner or later, we’ll have to see who’s the real core. Until I’ve faced you, I won’t accept you, and you won’t accept me. If you want to be the offensive leader, you’ll have to get past me. If you can’t beat me, the whole department team won’t accept you either. I’m the hurdle you must clear.”

Lin Fei looked at Yun Zhongyue, then at Duan Tingting, put down the ball, and said, “Alright. You set the rules.” Truthfully, Lin Fei didn’t want a showdown—he was just a newcomer on the school team, after all. But with Yun Zhongyue putting it so bluntly, and with Duan Tingting watching so eagerly, he felt he couldn’t refuse.

“Ten shots. First to ten wins,” Yun Zhongyue said, tossing the ball to Lin Fei. “You start.”

Lin Fei dribbled the ball, glanced at Yun Zhongyue and Duan Tingting, as if he had something to say, but said nothing.

Facing Yun Zhongyue, Lin Fei looked relaxed, but his dribbling was so quick that no one noticed his expression. This was truly a duel between the school’s two best players, but while one was seeking vindication, the other had nothing to prove.

Lin Fei pulled up for a jumper, but Yun Zhongyue leaped and managed to get a fingertip on the ball. This was rare for Lin Fei—his release was usually lightning-fast, hard to block. Yet, this time, he was stopped.

Yun Zhongyue took possession, drove hard at Lin Fei, who met him head-on, but Yun Zhongyue forced the ball in anyway.

Ball to Lin Fei, who immediately launched a three-pointer. The net snapped—Yun Zhongyue hadn’t even reacted in time.

“You’re up by one,” Yun Zhongyue said, catching the ball and mimicking Lin Fei’s jumper. The message was clear: anything you can do, I can do too. The shot arced in, nothing but net.

Lin Fei grinned sheepishly, didn’t bother to pick up the ball. “You win.”

“I lost,” Yun Zhongyue ran a hand through his hair, sweat streaming down his handsome face. “Your release isn’t as quick as it was in the games, because now you hesitate before you shoot. Both times, you hesitated, even if only for a moment, but that’s all I needed to read you. I should have realized this earlier, but today I finally understood how formidable you are. Playing against you is a battle of titans—truly unequaled.”

“You’re the one who understands basketball best among everyone I’ve met,” Lin Fei said.

Yun Zhongyue laughed. “Let’s be brothers. I, Yun Zhongyue, challenge someone, gain a friend.”

Lin Fei was surprised by the easy, hearty laughter from someone who always looked so cool and aloof.

“You’re buying us dinner,” Duan Tingting said to Yun Zhongyue.

“No problem,” Yun Zhongyue agreed with a generous wave.

Lin Fei smiled faintly. Today, he had truly witnessed something remarkable, and a weight seemed lifted from his heart. Everything suddenly became clear. From now on, all he could do was strive to carve out his own legend on the court—and now, at his side, he had gained a true friend, just like that.