Chapter 4: Accepting Defeat
The empty half of the court instantly became the focal point. The crowd gathered around in unison, their gazes fixed intently on the two players facing off in the middle of the court. The air seemed to freeze, leaving only the thud of the basketball hitting the floor, like the beating of war drums.
Gu Ye took the lead. He kicked his feet hard and cut directly towards the basketball in Chu Yan's hand with a reckless and fierce momentum. His movements were swift and direct, full of the wildness and oppression of a street court, and did not follow the traditional basketball routine at all.
Chu Yan's eyes focused, and at the moment when Gu Ye's fingertips were about to touch the ball, he lowered his wrist and dribbled the ball behind his back smoothly and quickly. The basketball seemed to be stuck in his hand, and he narrowly avoided Gu Ye's interception.
Gu Ye's attack missed, but he was not discouraged. He immediately adjusted his center of gravity and pressed forward again. He kept exerting pressure with his body, trying to disrupt Chu Yan's rhythm.
But Chu Yan wasn't overwhelmed by his momentum. He dribbled the ball steadily, keeping his center of gravity extremely low. Every turn and change of direction was perfectly timed. Utilizing precise ball control and nimble footwork, he managed to carve a gap through Gu Ye's close press. With a swift change of direction, he created a sliver of space and, without hesitation, took off for the shot.
The arc of the basketball shot was perfect.
"Swish——" the ball went into the net.
"Wow." An exclamation came from the sidelines.
"Tsk." Gu Ye looked at the basketball that had fallen to the ground, licking his back teeth in dissatisfaction, but his eyes became sharp. He admitted that there was something about that shot just now. It seemed that this guy was not just a show-off. This realization did not make him retreat, but instead ignited his desire to win. He picked up the ball and stared at Chu Yan: "Come again."
The intensity of the subsequent confrontation escalated rapidly.
Gu Ye completely let go, fully utilizing his explosive street-trained style of play. He sometimes forced his way through, sometimes used strange fake moves, and even attempted a few difficult layups. Each attack was strongly personal.
Chu Yan wasn't obsessed with showing off his skills; his defense was impenetrable, causing Gu Ye great trouble. His attacking choices were reasonable, his mid-range shots were stable, and he always found the weak links in Gu Ye's defense.
The two exchanged blows, the score rising alternately. Sweat soaked their vests, and their rapid breathing was clearly audible in the empty half of the court.
The spectators on the sidelines were dazzled, barely daring to breathe. This was a truly evenly matched duel.
Gu Ye fought with gusto. It had been a long time since he'd faced an opponent who could take him so seriously. Chu Yan's displayed strength forced him to temporarily put aside his preconceptions of hypocrisy and focus on the battle at hand. He even felt a subtle tinge of approval. This guy really was a good player.
The seconds ticked by. The electronic scoreboard showed the score at 10:9. Only ten seconds remained, and Gu Ye had the ball.
Gu Ye's eyes flashed with brilliance. This was his chance to score the winning goal. He took a deep breath, his dribbling tempo suddenly increasing, and with a series of large-scale cross-directional fakes, he slightly shifted Chu Yan's center of gravity. Now, he seized the fleeting opening, suddenly lowered his shoulders and accelerated, preparing to force a powerful attack from Chu Yan's side.
Inevitably, the two bodies collided violently, and the collision of muscles made a dull sound.
Gu Ye felt a massive force coming from the side, attempting to disrupt his path. He gritted his teeth, with incredible explosive power, and used the impact to force his way up. His body twisted into a powerful arc in the air, his right hand lifted the basketball high, and he flew towards the basket. He was determined to score this shot!
However, just as he was about to make a move—
Chu Yan's figure pressed close. In the intense physical confrontation just now, he seemed to have been knocked away, but in fact, he had cleverly adjusted his center of gravity, taking advantage of Gu Ye's forward momentum, and was able to arrive first, leaping high as well. His jumping ability was surprisingly not inferior to Gu Ye's. With amazing strength and precise timing, his slender arm slammed the basketball into Gu Ye's hands.
A clear and loud sound of a cap being blocked.
The basketball was accurately fanned away by Chu Yan's palm and bounced far away.
At the same time, the final whistle sounded sharply.
Gu Ye landed heavily on the ground and staggered before he stood firm. He looked at the basketball that rolled away in disbelief, then suddenly looked up at Chu Yan who landed steadily in front of him, breathing slightly but still standing upright.
The strands of hair on Chu Yan's forehead were wet with sweat, sticking to his smooth forehead. His warm face was now flushed with the color of exercise, but his eyes were unusually bright and sharp. The block just now fully revealed his hidden strength and the sudden burst of oppression.
"You..." Gu Ye's chest heaved as he stared at Chu Yan, his eyes filled with shock and resentment. He was actually blocked at the last crucial moment?
Chu Yan slowly calmed his breathing, the sharp expression on his face fading like the tide, and a gentle and harmless smile once again covered it, as if the block just now was just an illusion. He walked up to Gu Ye and extended his hand, his smile still warm, but his voice was full of unquestionable meaning:
"Ten minutes, 10:9. Gu Ye, you lose."
Gu Ye looked at the hand extended before him, then at the glaring score on the scoreboard, his face turning pale. He pursed his lips, his jawline set tight. Everyone's gaze was fixed on him, filled with a complex mix of emotions—surprise, curiosity, gloating...
These four words burned into his heart like a branding iron. Although Gu Ye had a bad temper, he never shirked his obligations, especially in public.
He turned his face away, avoiding Chu Yan's hand and those eyes. His voice seemed to be squeezed out from his throat, with a strong sense of reluctance and awkwardness:
"...I get it. I lose. I accept it."
Chu Yan didn't mind him avoiding his hand at all; instead, his smile deepened, revealing the calm confidence of a victor. He felt delighted as he watched Gu Ye, clearly feeling incredibly frustrated but having to bow his head.
"Very good." Chu Yan withdrew his hand and said in a gentle voice, "Then, it will be for a month from now on."
Gu Ye lowered his head to indicate his agreement.
His eyes calmly swept over Gu Ye's sweaty silver hair and stubborn profile, his tone carrying unquestionable force:
"The first instruction is simple."
He paused slightly, watching Gu Ye finally turn around with a wary and puzzled look in his eyes. The smile on his lips deepened, and he said:
"Don't be late for the first class tomorrow morning."
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