Chapter Thirty-Two: Sharp Edges Revealed (Part 2)

What should I do? The opponent is clever; when they can't guard you, their best strategy is simply to keep you off the court! Since you requested that the smallest player defend my strongest, you’ve obviously exposed your biggest weakness.

Green Team calls a timeout. The coach turns to Number 23: "Your main task now is to play more aggressively. That little guy, Number 43, is too fast and accurate with his shots. Try to draw fouls and get him off the court." On the basketball court, this is a bold tactical move.

Clearly, they’ve noticed Lin Fei’s defensive shortcomings. But surely Coach Yang Li has seen such a flaw as well? Perhaps he has his own plans.

Number 23 returns to the court with renewed ferocity—he was already strong, but now he’s like a tank. Lin Fei feels like a sheet of paper in front of him; the tank advances, and Lin Fei is powerless to resist. In just a few minutes, Lin Fei racks up two more fouls.

The coach, without hesitation, substitutes Lin Fei out. It seems everything is unfolding exactly as he planned. "Pay close attention to the situation on the court. When you’re playing, it’s easy to lose perspective, so you must learn to observe as if you were an outsider."

"They’re Number 23 is really built! I can’t defend him at all—it’s exhausting."

"Heh, his template is modeled after James."

"Really? He has a nickname?"

"When I was in the CBA, a teammate told me that scouts are closely watching this Number 23. He’s a promising talent."

"Is that so?" Lin Fei says aloud, but inwardly he refuses to accept it. He tells himself, "Let me back on the court, I’ll crush him." Everyone has a time when they can't stand someone else being better than them. But now Lin Fei has four fouls—before even finishing a single quarter. The coach promised him thirty minutes, but Lin Fei wonders if he'll even manage that.

Lin Fei sits out, yet Red Team’s offense doesn’t falter because of his absence. Only now does Lin Fei truly see: when the coach’s plan is in place, when the team has a core and everyone plays their role, the school squad’s offense is just as efficient.

So many surprises, so many things beyond belief—this is basketball. Sometimes, a change in approach brings instant clarity; a shift in perspective can unleash astonishing energy.

Lin Fei should be grateful the coach didn’t attend that departmental game. If he had, with more targeted tactics and his ability to unite the team, Lin Fei doesn’t know how badly they might have lost.

Lost in thought, Lin Fei fails to notice the game’s situation. Both sides are locked in a stalemate, running their bench lineups. Red Team, led by Number 24 Yun Zhongyue; the opponents, by Number 23. The two are equally matched—neither can guard the other. One relies on sheer strength for two-thirds of his baskets, the other favors agile drives and jump shots. When the game is close, it's the stage for stars to shine. At this moment, the duel between Number 24 and Number 23 takes center stage, perfectly matched against each other.

"Lin Fei, when do you think you’re best suited to play? You’ve got one foul left. Remember, you haven’t committed four fouls—you still have one opportunity."

"They’re playing so well now, I don’t think I need to go in!"

"You’re quite rational! That’s exactly what the team needs."

Halftime arrives; the score is tied at forty-six apiece.

Twenty minutes of rest. The coach tells Lin Fei, "When you face stronger opponents, the most important thing is to control your fouls. This is something you must learn on the court. You can foul, but you must know your limits. Sometimes, winning requires not just skill but wisdom—and even a bit of cleverness. When you defend Number 23, he can easily draw fouls from you. But remember, you have plenty of chances to make him commit offensive fouls. Your quick footwork lets you establish position rapidly, and you can easily bait him into fouling. In professional basketball, mastering fouls is an essential skill for any expert."

Lin Fei listens intently. So this was the coach’s reasoning for matching him against Number 23—he wanted Lin Fei to grasp these lessons firsthand. But will he let him play again?

Third quarter begins. Coach Yang Li surprises everyone by benching the outstanding Number 24 Yun Zhongyue and instead sends in Lin Fei, who’s one foul away from leaving the game. Yun Zhongyue hesitates, looking at the coach, wanting to say something but unable to.

On the court, Lin Fei can almost hear his own heartbeat. He must time that last foul carefully. The pressure is immense—can he reach thirty minutes of play? This is his first game with the school team. The coach told him to play like a core of the team, and suddenly, thoughts flood his mind like a dam bursting.

Defending Number 23, every time Lin Fei wants to reach out, he pulls back at the last second. If he fails to steal the ball and gets called for a foul, he’s out. He judges Number 23’s dribbling path, thinking to cut him off, but if he’s a fraction late and gets called for a blocking foul, what then? These thoughts keep him from staying calm, and he repeatedly makes mistakes on the court.

Coach Yang Li watches calmly, seemingly confident in his players. The bench stands up, clearly anxious—Lin Fei’s presence is letting Number 23 dominate.

Suddenly, Lin Fei realizes how timid he’s become. How could he let fear of fouling keep him from playing aggressively? On the court, all that matters is victory.

In an instant, Lin Fei’s entire demeanor changes. He moves faster, dribbles quicker. Number 23 looks at him, slightly startled—the Lin Fei before him is nothing like the one just moments ago.

Number 23 holds the ball. Their Number 33 comes up for a high screen. Lin Fei switches defense with Red Team’s Number 1. Number 23 crosses over Number 1, heading straight to the basket, but suddenly finds someone already planted firmly in his path. He tries to dodge, but his momentum sends Lin Fei flying nearly to the basket stand. The whistle blows! No dispute—Green Team is called for an offensive foul.

Lin Fei pumps his fist, exhilarated, and Coach Yang Li flashes a calm smile from the sidelines. Clearly, Lin Fei has just learned something new.

With the ball now, Lin Fei pushes forward rapidly. Amid the crowd, he weaves like an eel. Spotting an opening, he feints a shot, easily drawing a foul. This is exactly what Yang Li taught him—but Lin Fei picked it up remarkably quickly. At the start of the fourth quarter, Number 23 already has three fouls, all earned directly by Lin Fei. It’s not that Number 23 lacks skill, but Lin Fei’s speed and confidence are simply overwhelming.

But the team’s overall offense still struggles. Red Team substitutes their starters. Now, Lin Fei replaces Number 3, surrounded by the main lineup. Clearly, Yang Li is signaling to the opponent: the showdown has begun. Earlier, Lin Fei was energetic, but somewhat disconnected from his teammates. When the full starting lineup finally takes the court, they’re already trailing, and only twenty seconds remain—one last offensive chance.

Yang Li’s instructions: run a fast break. Lin Fei dribbles upcourt, reading the situation, ready to pass to Yun Zhongyue, Number 1, or whoever is best positioned. Racing ahead, an old saying flashes through his mind: "Once on the field, a general’s orders take precedence." Now, he can adjust his play according to the circumstances.

Lin Fei advances quickly, teammates sprinting alongside him. Two steps from the three-point line, he reenacts his signature move from the departmental finals—jump shot. Slightly off, the ball bounces off the rim. Yun Zhongyue follows up, grabs the offensive rebound, and without hesitation passes to Lin Fei. Lin Fei wastes no time—shoots again, misses. Now, Akagi battles into the paint, snags the rebound, perhaps unaware of the clock, and passes again to Lin Fei. Lin Fei catches, hesitates briefly, shoots—misses. Number 10 grabs yet another rebound, instantly passes to Yun Zhongyue at the three-point line. Yun Zhongyue pauses, then passes to Lin Fei at the top of the arc. Lin Fei has already missed three shots. As Yun Zhongyue passes, he gives Lin Fei a subtle signal. Lin Fei’s hand trembles slightly, he jumps and releases the ball. This time, he’s confident. As soon as it leaves his hand, he clenches his fist—this one is going in. Sure enough, the ball swishes through the net. The crowd erupts; the referee’s whistle sounds. Game over. All the players rush to embrace one another.

Coach Yang Li smiles, clearly delighted—this is the outcome he most wanted: a thrilling game-winner, his players Lin Fei and Yun Zhongyue, and those three clutch offensive rebounds!

Lin Fei wanted to ask why Yun Zhongyue passed him the ball for the last shot, even when Lin Fei himself was doubting. But he still did it.

Some things need no explanation.

Thirty minutes on the court—Lin Fei has already shown his brilliance.