Chapter 18: Eighteen, free throw Chapter 18: Eighteen, free throw Zhao Feng stopped laughing, his face filled with amusement as he looked at Song Yan Ning. “I didn’t expect you to be quite knowledgeable, since you’re standing in for him, you’ll take his free throws then.” He wasn’t surprised she knew something about basketball; after all, there were many ways to learn that knowledge nowadays. But he didn’t believe she could make a basket—not to mention giving her three chances; even with ten, she probably couldn’t make one.
Ling Yu helped Heizi to sit down in the resting area off the court, then walked over to Song Yan Ning. “I still hope you would reconsider. Once you’re on the court, you can’t back out. You saw how Heizi got injured; once you’re playing, it’s very likely you could end up in the same situation.” If she got injured, he didn’t know how he would explain it to Grandpa and Grandpa Yang.
“I’ve thought it through and decided to play,” Song Yan Ning confirmed with a decisive nod.
“Alright, just be careful. Try to keep away from them as much as you can, and remember, playing basketball is very tiring. If you can’t handle it, just let me know,” Ling Yu cautioned. He didn’t expect the girl to be so stubborn; he just hoped she wouldn’t get hurt.
“Okay!” Song Yan Ning smiled, nodding before stepping towards the free throw area.
Ling Yu shook his head and followed Song Yan Ning. He hardly believed she could score, and he had readied himself to rebound.
Song Yan Ning advanced to the free throw line, took the basketball, dribbled it a few times, and then casually threw it towards the hoop.
“If she makes a basket like that, I’ll eat the ball.”
“They’re losing for sure, so just let them struggle in their last moments.”
“Letting her play was a joke, haha…” Zhao Feng and his group mocked, each adding their jeers.
People on Ling Yu’s side were simultaneously angry and irritated, but more so helpless. They too didn’t believe Song Yan Ning could score, but they had no choice since they had no other reserves. It looked like they had lost this game.
With a “swish,” the basketball descended in a beautiful arc and fell accurately into the hoop.
Everyone’s eyes widened simultaneously, filled with disbelief.
“She made it! She actually scored! How incredible is that?” People on Ling Yu’s side were incredulous yet excited as they looked at Song Yan Ning. They truly hadn’t expected Song Yan Ning to score on her first attempt.
“How is this possible?”
“That must be a fluke; she definitely won’t make the next one.”
“If she makes the next basket, I swear I’ll never play basketball again.”
Hearing the other side’s claim, a teammate from Ling Yu’s side spoke up, “You better keep your word; we’re all listening. Don’t try to weasel out of it later.”
“Hmph! I wouldn’t go back on my word,” he retorted, not believing that Song Yan Ning could score again.
Song Yan Ning took the basketball, dribbled it a few times just like before, and then casually tossed it towards the hoop.
All eyes tracked the basketball as it flew towards the basket.
The ball sped towards the basket, and just as it was about to reach, it dropped, “thud,” landing on the rim and began to spin slowly.
Everyone’s hearts tensed up at the same moment.
Make it, make it! People on Ling Yu’s side were anxious, fixating on the ball and mentally urging it in.
Zhao Feng’s side was even more nervous, barely daring to breathe heavily. It won’t go in; it just can’t.
After several spins on the rim, “thud!” the ball rolled into the net.
“Score! Well done!”
“One more to go, keep it up!” Ling Yu’s side cheered with excitement. One successful shot could be a fluke, but two could no longer be just luck.
“Ha, looks like someone will never play basketball again.”
“Yeah, you’ve got to own up to what you said.”
“I just heard if the shot went in, he’d eat the ball.”
The two teammates on Zhao Feng’s side had flushed faces, whether from anger or embarrassment, they were too ashamed to retort. They’d said those words themselves; arguing now would only embarrass themselves further.
Zhao Feng glared at the two men before turning his gaze to Song Yan Ning, clenching his fists even tighter. He hadn’t expected he would underestimate this plain girl. But this was just the beginning; he’d make sure she would pay for it in a bit.
“One more shot, you got this!” Ling Yu gestured a thumbs-up to Song Yan Ning.
Song Yan Ning smiled and took the ball, without any hesitation, just as she had done before, she threw the ball quickly. She had learned Medical Skill from her grandfather and could precisely insert silver needles into acupoints. Surely, the vast hoop could not defy her.
Unsurprisingly, the ball went into the hoop.
“She made it, she’s really incredible!”
“Everybody fall back, get ready to defend, and don’t let up,” Ling Yu said to the others with a smile after calling out to Song Yan Ning. Perhaps they could win this game. Song Yan Ning’s performance had been totally unexpected.
“Zhang Ju, guard that plain girl closely, and if it comes down to it, better to foul than to let her score,” Zhao Feng approached Zhang Ju and instructed. Zhang Ju, at 1.6 meters, was quite tall among his peers and was also well-built; defending against the petite girl would be more than manageable for him.
“No problem!” Zhang Ju responded and headed towards Song Yan Ning. He was the one who had claimed he’d eat the ball. Song Yan Ning had made him lose face, and he was determined to make her regret it.
As Song Yan Ning observed Zhang Ju ready to guard her, she smiled nonchalantly. She was just there to make up the numbers; unless they crossed the line, she was content to be a bystander.
“Ugly girl, just you watch, I’ll make you look bad,” Zhang Ju threatened Song Yan Ning.
Song Yan Ning’s lips curled slightly, “We’ll see if you have the skills.”
“Hope you don’t cry about it later,” Zhang Ju scoffed dismissively. She was defiant now, but she’d know the consequence of crossing him soon enough. He would make sure she regretted it.
The game continued tensely.
Even though Song Yan Ning didn’t score again, her stamina astonished everyone. They had honed their physical condition by playing basketball regularly, but this was her first time, yet she appeared calm and composed.
As the seconds ticked by, the game reached its climax.
“Defend! As long as they don’t score, we’ve won,” Zhang Jifei yelled to his team. Zhao Feng had tightly guarded Ling Yu the whole time, preventing him from getting the ball, so they were leading by one point. If they maintained that lead, they would secure the victory.
As the end of the game neared, Ling Yu felt a sense of urgency in his heart. But no matter how anxious he got, he couldn’t get his hands on the ball.