manynovel Chapter 54 Lin Rui
Chapter 54 Lin Rui
The draw results are in, and Team Six (Qin Yu Team) will face the Police Uncle Team in the semifinals. The other semifinal will be between Team One (Lin Rui Team) from Qingyang District and another local team. Since Team One has another bye, they will have the advantage of rest and await the winner between Qin Yu Team and the Police Uncle Team.
"They got a bye again?" Wu Yun looked at Lin Rui, who was leaning against the basketball hoop in the distance, his eyes scanning the court. When he saw the police officers looking a little tired, a faint smile appeared on his lips.
"Luck is also a part of strength," Du Dewu said. "However, I'd rather have a real fight with them. That Lin Rui, the way he looks at people makes me uncomfortable."
Qin Yu didn't speak, his gaze falling on Xin Zhiyan, who was organizing her notes at the technical table. She seemed to have finished compiling the statistics for the previous game, and was now looking down at the clipboard in her hands. Sunlight streamed in through the high windows of the gymnasium, casting a pale golden hue on her falling hair. Qin Yu could see her long eyelashes flutter occasionally.
Did she really recognize him? What did that nod mean?
Qin Yu's heart was in turmoil. If she recognized him, given Xin Zhiyan's personality, she would never expose him on the spot, but privately... he could almost imagine the doubt that might appear in her clear eyes, or even a hint of annoyance at being kept in the dark. He was never good at dealing with her, and the pent-up emotions after his rebirth made him even more prone to flustered in her presence.
"Zhou Biao, warm up." Wu Yun patted Qin Yu on the shoulder, interrupting his thoughts.
Qin Yu took a deep breath, suppressing his distracting thoughts. Now was not the time to think about these things. Before him stood a kind and capable police officer. He had to concentrate.
Three middle-aged men walked over. Old Chen stretched his shoulders and laughed, "I didn't expect to run into you again so soon, especially at such a crucial game. Kids, this time we won't be as 'polite' as we were last time with the pickup game."
"I couldn't ask for more." Qin Yu met Old Chen's gaze, his voice steadyer behind his mask. "Giving it your all is the only way to show respect."
Old Liu nodded: "Well said. Let's see who's the best on the field then."
Both players entered the arena. Having faced each other before and knowing each other well, they immediately engaged in high-intensity combat without any probing.
The older men unleashed their most potent skills. Defensively, their zone defense was impenetrable, with Old Chen anchoring the paint and Old Liu and Uncle Wang rotating rapidly on the perimeter, their hands constantly disrupting passing lanes. Offensively, they played with extreme patience, striving to create open looks with every pass and never forcing shots unnecessarily.
The intensity of the game suddenly increased, with the sounds of bodies colliding, shoes rubbing, and rapid breathing all mixed together.
Wu Yun experienced such suffocating defensive pressure for the first time. Receiving the ball was incredibly difficult; Lao Liu's tight marking made it almost impossible for him to turn around. Du Dewu's speed advantage was also largely neutralized by Uncle Wang's experience and anticipation.
Qin Yu, as the ball handler, was under the most pressure. Lao Liu and Uncle Wang constantly double-teamed him, forcing him to pass the ball, while his passing lanes were threatened by Lao Chen's long arms.
On the first offensive possession, Qin Yu made a difficult pass to Wu Yun, who took a fadeaway jump shot under pressure. The ball bounced off the rim, and Lao Chen easily grabbed the rebound.
The older men countered, and after three passes, Uncle Wang got a sliver of space in the corner and took a three-pointer.
Swish!
Hollow through the net. 0:3.