Chapter 54: In This World, There Are Still People Who Care About You!

This was a solo show for Minghan, and also the best game he had played since he started competing. Daxu glanced at the data sheet compiled by his classmates and was utterly amazed. "Minghan, seriously? You've become this formidable? You're leading the team in points, rebounds, and assists. You're like the second coming of James! Are we about to have an Iverson plus James combo in our team?"

Minghan chuckled, "Daxu, and what about you?"

"I'm your most loyal fan, cheering for you with all my might from the sidelines, watching you two idiots carve out a realm for our Class Thirteen," Daxu replied, swaying playfully, which sent everyone into peals of laughter.

What are friends? They're the ones who, when you're exhausted, grab you and shout, "Hurry up! Or you'll miss the show ahead!"

Though this was only the first round of this year's ninth-grade basketball league, the excitement was palpable. Previously, everyone believed their team's progress was all thanks to Yuhang. But today's match taught everyone a valuable lesson: victory in basketball requires every participant to shine and contribute.

Now, each member of Class Thirteen understood their indispensable role in the team.

Class Thirteen had reached the quarterfinals, with the next round scheduled for next week. The task of drawing lots fell to Minghan.

Lin Jingjing handed him a bottle of water, which Minghan emptied in one gulp.

To many girls, Minghan seemed even more charming now. His bangs partially covered his eyes, his frame was a bit slender, but upright and striking.

"Daxu, shall we go to Yuhang's house later?" Minghan asked.

Yuhang had mysteriously vanished since last night, which worried Minghan. He had been to Yuhang's home before and wanted to check on him.

Daxu nodded, "We've got activities in the Dungeon today, and I've suffered losses because of Yuhang. When I see him, I'm going to spank him..."

Yuhang's home was in the center of a town ten kilometers from the county seat, so Minghan and Daxu took the bus there.

Forty minutes later, they arrived at Yuhang's house, a modest two-story building, traditionally decorated and tidy.

Minghan knocked on the door, but no one answered.

A neighbor noticed them. "You're Yuhang's classmates, right? He went out."

Daxu asked, "Auntie, do you know where he went?"

The plump woman sighed and shook her head. "I don't know. Last night his parents had a fierce argument, and then I saw him walk out alone. It was past midnight."

He had left after midnight and hadn't returned for twelve hours?

Daxu broke out in a cold sweat. "Minghan, do you think Yuhang might do something foolish? Oh no! My sweet, innocent Yuhang!"

Hearing this, the woman became anxious too. "Should we call the police? It's all his parents' fault, always arguing, year after year. Yuhang grew up in such an unhappy home."

Minghan could almost picture it: a little boy, hearing nothing but his parents' constant quarrels. His greatest joy was holding a big basketball, shooting again and again, dribbling. All his growth and happiness were found there.

Daxu was nervous. "Minghan, where should we look for Yuhang?"

"The basketball court..."

Because only when pounding the ball did those troubles get tossed into the basket, time and again.

There weren't many courts in the town, so after asking around, they decided to try the elementary school at the town center.

It was Yuhang’s alma mater, the place where he first played basketball.

They took a motorcycle taxi to the school, which was run-down. When Minghan and Daxu entered, the security guard paid them no mind, continuing his chat with the vendor by the gate about yesterday's national news.

The campus was quiet on a Saturday, hardly anyone around.

But as Minghan and Daxu entered the basketball court, they heard the clear sound of a ball bouncing on the ground.

"It's him, it's him, that's our hero Yuhang," Daxu sang out joyfully.

Yuhang heard the commotion and turned around. His face was weary, clearly sleepless through the night.

"Sorry," Yuhang managed to say.

His apology was both for causing his friends worry and for missing the class game.

But Minghan and Daxu felt a pang of sadness. This guy, always lively and like a little superhero, hiding all his pain inside, sharing only joy with his friends.

Minghan was full of emotion. Five months ago, he knew nothing about basketball. Yuhang introduced him, played with him, and together they enjoyed the thrill of competition.

"Yuhang, we won!"

Light flickered in Yuhang's eyes as he murmured, "We won..."

Minghan nodded vigorously. "Yuhang, we promised to win the grade championship, and the county championship. You’ll be a peerless basketball player one day, and I’ll be an invincible amateur. Together, we’ll take on all challengers."

Yes! This was brotherhood in basketball. To rise and fall together, to face the lows, and to stand atop the summit side by side.

Yuhang felt desolate. His greatest wish since childhood was to come home to peace, but his parents’ conflicts never ended. Last night, he learned they had quietly finalized their divorce the previous week.

A child from a divorced home is like a floating duckweed cut from its roots, never knowing where it will land next.

"Minghan, will I be alone from now on?"

Minghan patted Yuhang's shoulder. "You idiot, what are you afraid of? In two months, we'll be eighteen. We'll be adults with legal rights. No matter how tough things get, we can walk out on our own now."

Minghan and Yuhang were alike in many ways, both emotional pessimists. Minghan had never seen his father, always believed he didn’t need one, and could live just fine.

"Yuhang, you know, as long as someone cares about you in this world, that's enough."

Yuhang bowed his head in silence...

Yuhang's phone rang—it was his mother.

"Mom," Yuhang answered, his voice nearly breaking.

They talked for a long time, while Minghan and Daxu quietly shot hoops nearby.

Finally, Yuhang put his phone away and called out to Minghan, "Let's go! Back to school!"