Chapter 11: The First Competition of Life

Many years later, when Ming Han recalled the first game he ever played in his life, he couldn’t help but sigh: it was even more nerve-wracking than losing his virginity! And yet, Ming Han was only a substitute!

Their PE teacher, nicknamed “Blackie,” was the main referee for this match. Blackie had quite a reputation—he once finished sixth in the provincial shooting contest and had a brief stint as a professional player.

There was no denying it: Ming Han looked striking and radiant in his jersey, drawing the gazes of many girls who had come to watch the game.

One girl from Class Twelve walked straight over to him and asked, “Hey, can I add you on QQ?”

A group of boys from Class Twelve immediately groaned in despair at the scene—facing a formidable opponent, and now this! What a disaster!

To their surprise, Chen Li, standing nearby, replied to the girl, “Sorry, he’s the top student in our class, under special protection from our homeroom teacher. He’s not allowed to get too close to girls.”

The girl, apparently having heard of Chen Li, just smiled and walked away.

Yuhang led their warm-up on the court. Each player did two layups from both corners and two jump shots from each spot. Then the starters began to get ready for the game.

“You’ll play half of the second quarter. Watch how everyone moves and positions themselves,” Yuhang told Ming Han.

Ming Han nodded. The more he played basketball, the more he realized how deep the game was—one could spend a lifetime studying it and never reach the end.

The game began! Yang Wanli won the first offensive possession.

Class Thirteen’s lineup:

Point guard: Yuhang.
Shooting guard: Wang Chaoyang.
Small forward: Daxu.
Power forward: Chen Bao.
Center: Zheng Yuan.

Yuhang’s individual skills were undoubtedly the strongest; he was both the offensive and organizational core of the team.

The point guard from Class Twelve dribbled past half-court. Everyone spread out, and Yang Wanli positioned himself well in the paint, received the pass, and went for a hook shot.

He missed!

Zheng Yuan, though a bit shorter than Yang Wanli, had a bigger build. He secured the offensive rebound and passed to Yuhang, who immediately pushed the ball past half-court. Before the defense could set up, he drove straight to the basket and scored with a layup.

Cheers erupted from the stands!

Ming Han, watching from the sidelines, felt a surge of envy. When would he be able to handle the ball like that?

Unbeknownst to him, ten minutes flew by quickly. Both teams played to their strengths. Class Twelve focused on their center—Yang Wanli, a well-known big man, had excellent touch with his hook shots.

The first quarter ended with a score of 16 to 11.

Yuhang came off the court, opened a bottle of water, and said as he drank, “Ming Han, you’ll sub in for Chen Bao at power forward next quarter. I’ll keep leading you.”

Ming Han had watched last year’s game too—Yuhang usually played the whole game. Without him, the team would collapse almost immediately.

Hearing this, Ming Han started warming up right away. Zhang Xiaozhen was here today too; he had to put on a good show.

The whistle blew, signaling them onto the court.

Ball to Yuhang.

After crossing half-court, Ming Han immediately came up to set a pick.

Yuhang understood at once. After breaking through, he passed out to Ming Han beyond the arc. Ming Han took the shot—clang!—but it felt great, and his form was spot on.

“That’s the first step on the Great Wall!” someone joked.

After a successful defensive stop, Ming Han sprinted back towards his own basket.

A long pass flew down the court—it was a move he’d admired recently watching the NBA, spanning the whole court.

Yuhang released the ball right away.

Ming Han, being tall, caught it. He was now standing three meters from the left side of the basket.

He prepared to shoot...

The opposing power forward from Class Twelve rushed over to contest, leaping high, determined to swat the rookie and teach him a lesson.

But Ming Han responded with a perfect bounce pass, threading it to Zheng Yuan, who was unguarded under the basket.

Zheng Yuan banked it in!

He pointed skyward with one finger. “Bro, that was a smooth play.”

Yuhang, still not even past half-court, was cheering madly from the other end.

A wave of satisfaction surged through Ming Han’s heart. “You guys are so over the top, it’s almost nauseating… damn.”