Tuesday afternoon during P.E., the sun baked the court warm and bright. The thud-thud of basketballs mixed with boys' shouts, filling the air with energy.
Zheng Hao jogged over clutching a ball, slapping it against Lin Chen's shoulder. "Lin Chen, our class is going up against Zhao Kai's team for a scrimmage. We're short one man. Even if you just stand there, you'll be more useful than their sub who can't even dribble straight!"
Lin Chen froze, hesitant. "I really don't know much about basketball. I don't want to drag you guys down." In his past life, he'd avoided P.E. whenever possible. Basketball? He'd barely touched it. Even basic dribbling felt foreign.
"What're you scared of?" Zheng Hao laughed, smacking him on the back. "We're out to take Zhao Kai down a peg! That guy struts around like he owns the place—today we're wiping that grin off his face. Just grab rebounds, pass the ball. Leave the scoring to us."
As if on cue, Zhao Kai strolled over with his crew, catching the tail end of the conversation. He crossed his arms and sneered, "Him? Lin Chen? The guy who'd trip over his own feet just trying to dribble? You put him on the court, and he'll hand us the win on a silver platter. Imagine him fumbling in front of the whole school—your class will be a laughingstock!"
His lackeys howled with laughter. One even mimicked Lin Chen face-planting.
"Haha, don't go crying for your mommy when you fall, Lin Chen!"
"Zhao Kai's a school team player—Lin Chen showing up is like serving us free points!"
Lin Chen's fists clenched until his knuckles cracked. In his last life, he would've lowered his head, swallowed the shame. But not this time. Looking Zhao Kai dead in the eye, he said firmly, his gaze sharp as steel, "I'm in. Even if I'm not good, I won't let you win easy."
Zheng Hao's eyes lit up. He clapped Lin Chen's shoulder hard. "That's my brother! That's the spirit! We're gonna grind Zhao Kai into the dirt!"
Zhao Kai's smirk froze, then twisted into a cold snort. "Fine. Since you're begging to embarrass yourself, I'll make sure you regret it. When you lose, you'll be apologizing to me in front of everyone." With that, he shoulder-checked Lin Chen and swaggered off with his gang.
Lin Chen ignored the shove, but inside he vowed: I'll train hard. Not just to win, but to show Zhao Kai I'm not the pushover he remembers.
"Lin Chen, you're really going to play?" Su Wanqing walked up with her backpack, worry in her eyes. "Zhao Kai's baiting you. You don't have to take it."
Lin Chen's heart softened at her concern. He smiled. "It's okay. I want to give it a try. And with Zheng Hao and the guys backing me up, we won't lose too badly."
Her eyes suddenly brightened. Flipping open her notebook, she chirped, "Then I'll cheer for you! I'll hand out water, keep score, and hold up a sign so you'll see it right away!" Pen flying, she sketched quickly. "Look—'Go Lin Chen!' with a smiley sun. I'll raise it high during the game!"
Leaning closer, Lin Chen saw the doodle: a basketball, bold letters reading "Go Lin Chen! Class Victory!" with a goofy sun grinning beside it. His chest warmed. In a low voice, he said, "Thanks, Su Wanqing. With you cheering, I'll definitely play my best."
Her cheeks flushed pink, but she kept her head down, scribbling. "No need to thank me. We're friends, aren't we? And I believe in you. Train hard—you'll surprise everyone."
That evening, Lin Chen stayed late at the court. Zheng Hao took on the role of coach, correcting him step by step. "Keep your stance low when dribbling. Use your fingertips, not your palm!"
Lin Chen trained like his life depended on it. At first, he fumbled constantly, palms rubbed raw. But he never once said he was tired—just picked up the ball and tried again, over and over.
Every day, Su Wanqing sat in the bleachers, notebook in hand, tracking his progress.
"Today you dribbled twenty seconds longer than yesterday!"
"That pass was super accurate!"
Whenever he sagged with exhaustion, she dashed down with water and tissues, her clear voice ringing across the court: "Come on, Lin Chen! You've got this!"
With Zheng Hao's coaching and Su Wanqing's encouragement, Lin Chen's skills improved rapidly. From shaky dribbling to clean passes, even sinking the occasional basket. Zheng Hao beamed, slapping his back. "Lin Chen, you're killing it! At this rate, Zhao Kai won't know what hit him!"
The day before the match, Su Wanqing handed him a big cardboard sign decorated with her drawings and stickers. "Tomorrow I'll be early to grab a front-row spot. You'll see this the moment you look up!"
Lin Chen accepted it with gratitude brimming in his chest. "Thanks, Su Wanqing. With you there, I'll win for sure."
Game day arrived, and the court was jam-packed with cheering students. Dressed in his jersey, Lin Chen stood tall, nerves buzzing but eyes steady. In the front row, Su Wanqing waved her colorful sign, shouting at the top of her lungs: "Go Lin Chen! Class Victory!"
The game tipped off. Zhao Kai dominated early, sinking two baskets in a row, flashing mocking faces at Lin Chen. Zheng Hao slapped his shoulder. "Don't panic. Stick to the plan!"
Focused, Lin Chen seized a chance. When Zhao Kai lunged for the ball, Lin Chen cut in, stole it clean, and fired a pass to a teammate—who scored! The crowd erupted, and Su Wanqing's cheers grew even louder.
With the game on the line in the final minutes, Lin Chen caught Zheng Hao's pass. Zhao Kai charged at him, but Lin Chen remembered his drills—quick dribble, sidestep, jump shot. The ball arced high and swished through the hoop.
"He scored! Lin Chen scored!" Su Wanqing jumped with joy, waving her sign high.
The whistle blew. Game over. Their class had won!
Teammates swarmed Lin Chen, cheering, Zheng Hao pounding his back. "That last shot was clutch, bro! You crushed it!"
Lin Chen grinned and glanced toward Su Wanqing. Their eyes met, sharing a smile filled with unspoken understanding.
Meanwhile, Zhao Kai stood fuming at the edge of the court, fists clenched so hard his nails bit skin. His face darkened, venom boiling in his eyes. Losing the game was nothing—next week's sports meet would be his true revenge.
From his pocket, he pulled out a tiny thumbtack, the metal glinting cruelly in the sun. His lips twisted into a sinister smile. Just wait, Lin Chen. On the track, I'll make sure you go down hard.