Warren Wu grabbed the basketball and tossed it straight to Evan Lin, then stood in the center of the court, coldly sizing Evan up.
“You shoot well and you jump high, but there’s no way you’re getting the ball past me. Believe it?” Warren Wu’s build was tall and burly, and next to him, Evan Lin looked almost like a kid.
Especially with Warren Wu’s fierce glare, even Hank Chu and the others on the sidelines couldn’t help but feel a chill.
“Oh? Then let’s see you try.”
Evan Lin nodded, inbounded the ball, and went for the shot. The basketball arced toward the hoop, but as it reached midair, Warren Wu leapt up and blocked it with one hand.
Warren Wu jumped so high his palm was above the rim. He grabbed the ball, dribbled twice, stepped outside the arc, and took a jump shot.
Clang!
One to zero.
Seeing Evan Lin fall behind, Hank Chu and the others were all startled.
Jason Jiang grinned. “Now this is getting interesting. With Wu’s height advantage and bounce, this kid doesn’t stand a chance of getting the ball into the hoop.”
Allen Ju’s face was grim—he’d just lost to Evan Lin, and it clearly stung. Now, seeing Warren Wu take the lead, his mood improved a little. He nodded, "That guy can jump and shoot, but against Warren, he doesn’t have a shred of fighting power."
“So what if he shoots well? Just block him in midair, that’s all it takes.”
Allen Ju let out a heavy breath, the corners of his mouth lifting—he could already see how this game would end.
Warren Wu held an absolute advantage!
There was no way he could lose!
Selina Shi stood off to the side, looking thoughtful. Her gaze lingered on Evan Lin. For some reason, even though the situation looked terrible for that kid, Selina couldn’t shake the feeling that he was still hiding something up his sleeve.
At the very least, Selina didn’t see any frustration or defeat on the boy’s face after falling behind. Instead, he stayed perfectly calm, like he had everything under control.
“You really think that’s all it takes to beat me?” Evan Lin raised an eyebrow.
Warren Wu tossed the ball back to Evan Lin and grinned, “What else? I just have to camp under the hoop and swat your shots. What can you possibly do to score?”
“This rim is mine now. If I say you’re not scoring, you’re not scoring!”
Warren Wu spoke in a booming voice, face full of bravado—his confidence practically explosive.
Oh? Bring it on.
Evan Lin nodded. "I admire your confidence, but honestly, you’re a bit too weak."
Me, weak? Ha! Why don’t you show me how strong you are! Warren Wu laughed instead of getting angry. "Don’t bother trying to rile me up with words. It won’t work. You’ll just end up in an even worse spot."
Your turn. Start the play!
Warren Wu shouted across the court.
Evan Lin started the play. This time, instead of rushing a shot, he drove the ball straight toward the hoop.
Trying to fake me out? Won’t work!
Warren Wu watched Evan Lin charging in, camped under the basket, grinning with a cold glint in his eyes as he straightened up.
Evan Lin powered forward with the ball, everyone’s eyes glued to his sudden sprint. He planted one foot inside the arc, hunched like a leopard, then exploded upward toward the rim.
Whoa, is he really trying a three-step layup right in Wu’s face?
Seeing Evan’s move, Jason Jiang’s eyes went wide, sneering, "Is he asking for trouble? That’s just suicide."
Allen Ju shook his head. He had thought Evan Lin was clever, but now, seeing him charge in so recklessly, Allen realized he’d overrated the kid.
Maybe he’s got some skills, decent ball sense, but his head’s not too bright.
Going head-to-head with Warren Wu in this situation? He’s just asking to lose.
Tsk, digging his own grave.
Warren Wu watched Evan Lin sprinting in, grinning as he stepped forward. "Come on! Show me what you’ve got!" he roared.
He saw Evan Lin leap up, and Warren Wu quickly jumped too. With his height advantage, he reached the same level and slapped his palm onto the ball in midair.
No way, is he going for a dunk?' someone next to Hank Chu blurted out, seeing Evan Lin jump without releasing the ball.
Damn, that’s wild!
Too bad—he just got swatted. Odds are, he’ll lose possession.
Everyone watched, eyes wide.
Evan Lin’s slim frame soared high, ball in hand for a layup—no, a dunk! Warren Wu leaped too, his massive palm colliding with Evan’s in midair.
What a joke. He thinks he can dunk?
Warren Wu snorted, flexing his arm to slam the ball down.
But before he could react, a surge of force came through the ball.
What?!
Warren Wu’s face changed as he lost control midair—Evan Lin crashed into him, sending him flying.
How is that possible?' Jason Jiang stared, stunned.
At that moment, Selina Shi looked up at the hoop. From behind the rim, sunlight crested the mountain, bathing the scene in golden light. Against the glare, the lone boy with the basketball seemed to glow—radiant and dazzling.
A split second later—
Bang!
A thunderous crash echoed.
The ball went in, and the boy grabbed the rim with one hand. As he dropped from midair, the entire hoop bowed under his weight!
Creak!
Branches.
A harsh screech rang out in everyone’s ears.
They watched as Evan Lin landed, and the hoop—bolted to the wooden backboard with screws—snapped off and crashed to the ground.
The boy on the ground straightened, tossed the broken hoop aside, and strode forward, head down. He glanced at the dazed Warren Wu and smirked: "Didn’t you say I couldn’t score?"
You…' Warren Wu lay on the ground, speechless as he stared up at the boy standing before him.