Chapter 160: A Despairing Class

"Hurry over to the basketball court, someone has gone crazy!" Many basketball players were spreading the word.

To them, this meant someone was on a tear, totally unstoppable.

However, some students who knew nothing about basketball misunderstood, shaking their heads with sighs. "This society is truly cruel, the pressure is immense! To think someone could actually go insane right there on the basketball court."

"As fellow alumni, let's go check it out together!"

Just like that, without anyone noticing, the crowd around the basketball court swelled to four or five hundred people.

Some arrived and immediately asked those nearby, "Where is the classmate who went crazy?"

Someone pointed toward Ming Han.

They glanced at Ming Han, their hearts filling with even greater melancholy. "Such a handsome guy, how did he end up losing his mind?"

"He's still playing basketball even after going crazy? Is this the power of faith?"

Everyone stared at these two weirdos, utterly speechless...

Heh! Your PE teacher must have worked really hard teaching you literature!

The spectators closest to the court were already at the height of emotional excitement.

"He's already got 14 points this quarter."

"That small forward from Class 9 is on the verge of a breakdown; his eyes look kind of dazed and lost..."

Almost all of Ming Han's points this quarter had come from jump shots.

6 for 9! Including a three-pointer.

At the end of the first half, Class 9's small forward sat blankly on the bench, not saying a word.

Just because I look honest, I'm supposed to be bullied? Didn't you guys say that cutting off Ming Han's drives would solve everything? Damn it, his shooting is more accurate than anyone's.

The Class 9 captain patted him on the shoulder to show comfort and encouragement.

"Can I switch defenders with someone? Just that chubby guy over there! I think he's really strong too."

The Class 9 small forward was on the brink of a collapse.

I need some warmth to comfort my soul...

The Class 9 captain silently shook his head. "Only you can guard Ming Han."

Normally, hearing a line like that would make someone quite happy. It was an affirmation of your defensive skills!

But today, heh! He had already scored 14 points in a single quarter.

And there was still half a game left! Were they really going to crush my basketball dream? I'm just a kid who wants to play basketball in peace.

The Class 9 captain started brainwashing him again. "You have to trust me, no one maintains a shooting touch for a whole game. He just happened to be hot this quarter, it won't be this outrageous in the second half."

The Class 9 small forward wore a pitiful expression, asking weakly, "Really?"

The captain nodded firmly. "Yeah! I wouldn't harm you."

"Alright then!"

It must be like that! He was just hot in the second quarter, it's definitely not my fault.

After all, I'm famous for my defense!

***

The third quarter began, and Ming Han strolled leisurely onto the court.

His eyes swept over the Class 9 small forward.

The Class 9 small forward immediately panicked. "Why are you looking at me like that? What do you want to do to me? I will not submit."

Ming Han was stunned! I was just looking unintentionally, alright? Why are you reacting so strongly!

"You're still looking... you're still looking..." The Class 9 small forward retreated step by step. "Captain, Ming Han's gaze is very unfriendly."

Right now, he looked just like a frightened little bird.

The captain grew angry and complained to Ming Han, "Why are you acting like that while playing basketball? Such a fierce look."

Ming Han looked completely innocent! I just glanced at him, has the world really become this fragile?

...

After the opening whistle, Class 9 had the first possession.

To build up some confidence for their small forward, the Class 9 captain gave him the ball to play isolation.

And he was matched up against Ming Han!

Ming Han assumed a serious defensive stance...

The small forward made a jab step, trying to take Ming Han one-on-one.

Yet the moment he caught Ming Han's gaze, his scalp instantly went numb and his mind went completely blank.

"What are you daydreaming for? Take Ming Han one-on-one!"

After hesitating for a moment, the Class 9 small forward passed the ball away, giving up the offensive opportunity.

"Ming Han is terrifying me with his eyes!"

Ming Han was completely bewildered—what the hell?

Class 9 hurriedly finished that possession, but the shot missed.

As he retreated on defense, the Class 9 captain said to Ming Han, "Tone it down a bit! If you glare at people so evilly, you won't make any friends in the future."

Ming Han felt like he had eaten coptis—suffering in silence with no words to express his grievance.

How could playing a simple game of basketball lead to such an awkward situation?

The next time down the court, Ming Han had the ball.

The Class 9 small forward watched Ming Han while chanting silently in his heart: His shooting touch will cool down, it definitely will...

Unaware of the inner monologue of the defender before him, Ming Han executed a simple jab step and pulled up for a shot.

Swish!

The Class 9 small forward froze in place. Didn't you say his touch would cool down?

"Captain, are you fucking lying to me?"

The captain looked somewhat awkward as he explained, "It's a slow process, it cools down gradually."

Then he proceeded to explain it using physics principles. Yep! An honor student's way of communication is truly different—talking absolute nonsense.

From then on, the Class 9 small forward fully experienced what a "slow" process truly meant.

***

Heh! 16 points in a single quarter.

7 out of 12 shooting.

He had defended very earnestly, and the captain had even temporarily taught him a move called the "Blinding Eye Technique"—reaching out to block Ming Han's evil eyes the exact moment he shot the ball.

Unfortunately, Ming Han was already completely in the zone and kept sinking them anyway.

The most spectacular play of all was when Ming Han drove with the ball, stopped abruptly at the free-throw line, and faked a shot.

After sending the defender flying with a pump fake, he kept his pivot foot planted, executed a spin move, and drained the jumper...

This single play ignited the entire crowd.

Many spectators in the front rows began imitating Ming Han's exact movement!

Too gorgeous.

The guy from Class 2 said to Yu Hang, "He must work really hard, right?"

Yu Hang nodded; he knew all too well how much effort Ming Han put into refining his skills.

"That sequence just now was practically Kobe playing out there."

The Class 9 small forward could truly be said to have been a complete poster boy on that play.

Dejected, he suddenly felt he could fully empathize with the Raptors' mindset back then when they were getting destroyed by Kobe.

Guard me however you want, if it goes in, I'll count it as my loss.

More and more people gathered around the court, and every time Ming Han scored, it set off the crowd, who clapped frantically.

In the final moments of the third quarter, Ming Han drew a foul on a drive.

As he stepped up to the free-throw line, the entire crowd began chanting in unison: MVP...

With hundreds of people shouting together, the momentum was deeply shocking!

Ming Han sank both free throws, pointed a single finger toward the sky, and basked in the cheers of the crowd.

At this moment, he was the king of the court.

Wu Xinhai teased Wang Zhimin, "Looks like all the spotlight was stolen by Brother Ming today again."

Wang Zhimin didn't show a trace of annoyance this time; he nodded and said, "He earned it!"

This wasn't even an official grade-wide tournament, just a friendly match between two classes. Yet it was explosive enough to hype up the entire arena.

With one quarter left, Class 8 already held a massive lead.

Ming Han subbed out, patted Wang Zhimin on the shoulder, and said, "Captain, the rest is up to you."

"Don't worry! If we can still lose from here, I'd forfeit my title as the Hook Shot Little Prince from now on."

Wu Xinhai sneered, "When did you ever get that title? Didn't you just give it to yourself?"

Heh! I'll beat you to death, I'll beat you to death...

Wu Xinhai let out a rather miserable cry!