The Friday afternoon sun blasted down, turning the basketball court into a scorching oven. The shouts from the crowd were so loud they could've blown the roof off, and even the windows on the third floor of the school building were packed with heads. With just one minute left in the class basketball finals, the scoreboard read 68-68, the tension so thick you could cut it with a knife.
Lin Chen bent over, hands on his knees, trying to catch his breath. His blue jersey was soaked through with sweat, sticking to his back. The scrape on his knee from yesterday's practice was still hurting, and just now, Zhao Kai had slammed into him, causing the pain to shoot through him like a needle.
Zheng Hao jogged up to him, elbowing him lightly. "That bastard Zhao Kai is playing dirty!" he grumbled in a low voice. "He just used his knee to target your old injury during defense. The ref didn't catch it, and he's pretending to be innocent!"
Lin Chen nodded and glanced over at Zhao Kai. The guy was in his red jersey, arms crossed as he barked orders at his teammates, his eyes flicking toward Lin Chen with a cold, mocking grin—as if to say, You won't last much longer.
Su Wanqing was in the front row of the stands, waving a handmade sign that read "Go Lin Chen!" She smiled brightly when their eyes met, waving with both hands, her eyes shining brighter than the sun.
The referee's whistle blew, and Zhao Kai immediately took control of the ball, charging toward the basket. Lin Chen gritted his teeth and chased after him, his knee aching with every step, but he didn't let up—he couldn't. Zhao Kai's main player tried to pass the ball, but Lin Chen was quick, intercepting it, then immediately passing it to Zheng Hao.
Zheng Hao charged forward, but two defenders closed in, blocking his way. With only 30 seconds left on the clock, he suddenly spun and tossed the ball behind him. "Lin Chen, catch it!"
The ball landed firmly in Lin Chen's hands, but before he could get his stance, Zhao Kai lunged at him, not even trying to steal the ball—just slamming his body into Lin Chen's shoulder.
Lin Chen stumbled, pain flaring in his knee, but he held on to the ball with everything he had.
"Stop him! Don't let him shoot!" Zhao Kai screamed, charging at him again, saliva almost spraying as he yelled in frustration.
Lin Chen sucked in a deep breath, suddenly remembering the nights he spent after his rebirth—practicing shot after shot under the old basketball hoop in his neighborhood. His arms burned, his knees scraped and bandaged, but he kept going, over and over, just to make sure that when the time came, he wouldn't fall short.
He planted his feet, knees bent, hands lifting the ball above his head. His eyes were locked on the hoop.
Zhao Kai was already right in front of him, his hand nearly brushing Lin Chen's wrist, but Lin Chen launched himself up—his knee screaming in pain, his body jerking in agony—but still, he made the shot.
The ball soared through the air in a perfect arc. The entire gym fell silent, the only sound the swish as the ball sunk cleanly into the net.
For a brief second, the world seemed to stop. Everyone held their breath, eyes fixed on the ball.
Su Wanqing's fingers tightened around her sign, her knuckles turning white as she stared, eyes wide with anticipation.
Swish.
The ball went in, and the crowd erupted into chaos. At the exact moment, the referee blew the final whistle.
"We won! We won!" Zheng Hao leaped into Lin Chen's arms, nearly knocking him over. "Lin Chen, you're amazing! A last-second three-pointer! I can't believe you nailed it!"
The entire gym went wild. Students swarmed the court, surrounding Lin Chen. "Lin Chen, you're awesome!"
"A game-winning shot, even injured? That's so cool!"
"We're champions!"
The applause, cheers, and whistles were deafening, shaking the walls.
Su Wanqing squeezed her way to the front, eyes on Lin Chen. Tears welled up in her eyes as she saw him surrounded by classmates. Without thinking, she dashed over and threw her arms around him. "Lin Chen! You're incredible! I knew you could do it!"
Lin Chen froze for a second, feeling the warmth of her embrace. Her hair brushed against his neck, sending a tickling sensation. He gently patted her back and whispered, "I'm fine, don't worry. I'm not hurt."
Around them, students began teasing. "Ooooh, they're hugging!"
"Lin Chen and Su Wanqing are perfect together!"
"Get together already!"
Su Wanqing's face turned bright red, like a ripe apple, and she quickly let go of Lin Chen, ducking her head as she tugged at the hem of her shirt, her ears glowing red.
Lin Chen couldn't hold back a grin. He could tell from this hug alone that their relationship was no longer just "study partners."
Meanwhile, on the sidelines, Zhao Kai stood like a storm cloud, his face dark as night. He gripped the basketball so tightly it creaked. Watching Lin Chen being surrounded by students, watching Su Wanqing blush, jealousy twisted his gut.
With a growl, he slammed the basketball to the ground, the ball bouncing hard against the railing with a loud thud, but no one paid him any attention.
"What are you so proud of? It was just luck!" Zhao Kai gritted his teeth, muttering bitterly, but his voice was drowned out by the cheers.
The students around him looked at him with disdain, some whispering, "Can't take losing, so he pulls dirty tricks. What a loser."
Unable to stay any longer, Zhao Kai snatched the ball, turned his head down, and stormed off the court like a defeated dog, his shadow stretching long in the setting sun.
The students celebrated for a long time, finally dispersing as the sun began to set. Zheng Hao slung his arm around Lin Chen's shoulders. "I'm buying you barbecue tonight! We've got to celebrate our championship! Oh, and Su Wanqing, you're coming too. You're the real MVP for cheering Lin Chen on!"
"I didn't do anything..." Su Wanqing mumbled, still blushing.
"You kidding?" Lin Chen glanced at her and said seriously, "You helped me with the bandages, cheered me on the whole time—without you, I wouldn't have made it to the end."
Su Wanqing felt warmth spread through her chest. She nodded. "I'll tell my mom, we'll meet later."
The three of them walked toward the school gate, their shadows stretching long in the fading light. Su Wanqing stole a glance at Lin Chen's profile, her heart filled with a soft, warm feeling. This boy, who made the game-winning shot even with an injury, has quietly taken up residence in my heart.
At home, Lin Chen burst through the door. "Mom! We won! I made the game-winning shot!"
His mother rushed out from the kitchen, still holding a spatula. When she saw him standing there, looking fine, she sighed in relief. "Good to hear. Now wash up, dinner's ready! I made your favorite braised pork and scrambled eggs with tomatoes. Time to eat and recharge!"
As Lin Chen ate, he excitedly recounted the game to his mom, even laughing when he told her about Su Wanqing hugging him. His mother watched him, her eyes full of warmth. "Looks like my son's found someone special."
Meanwhile, Zhao Kai sat in his room, staring at his phone screen, grinding his teeth. He sent a message to Zhou Tao: Next week's sports meet—1500 meters. You and Chen Hao have to make Lin Chen fall! He can't get away with being so smug.
Zhou Tao quickly replied: Don't worry, Boss. I've already talked with Chen Hao. We'll hit him on the last corner. Chen Hao will block him, make sure he can't dodge. He won't even finish the race.
Zhao Kai smirked, his lips curling into a vicious grin. He thought his plan was foolproof, but little did he know—Lin Chen and Zheng Hao were already onto him. After the game, Zheng Hao had warned Lin Chen, "Zhao Kai won't let this go. Be careful at the sports meet, we'll keep an eye on him."
Lin Chen nodded, his resolve hardening. Not only will I win at the sports meet, I'll make sure Zhao Kai pays for his dirty tricks. Everyone will see—cheaters never win.
The next morning, Lin Chen waited outside Su Wanqing's apartment. She jogged up, holding a bottle of milk. "Here, for extra energy. Oh, and I've prepared some energy bars for the 1500 meters next week. Eat one before the race for more strength."
"Thanks, Su Wanqing," Lin Chen said, taking the milk, feeling a warmth spread through him.
They walked to school side by side, the sunshine warming their backs. Su Wanqing suddenly spoke, "Lin Chen, no matter what happens at the sports meet, I believe in you. You've worked so hard, you're sure to get a good result."
Lin Chen smiled at her, saying, "With you supporting me, I'll definitely win."
But neither of them noticed—just a few steps behind, Chen Hao stood hidden behind a tree, his phone clutched tightly in his hand, reading his chat with Zhao Kai. He was still unsure—should he help Zhao Kai hurt Lin Chen? That hesitation wouldn't last long. Zhao Kai's threats would soon make him act. A greater crisis was quietly approaching.