The whistle blew, and Luo Zhixiang, Zhou Mian, Cao Jinghua, Yang Zaiyu, and Zhu Li from the Hua Du City Professional team took to the court.
From the opposing resting area, Lin Jianghua, Wang Feng, Wu Chunjian, Zhang Qingshan, and Song Hui of the Guan Shi Professional team also entered the game. After the referee briefly explained the rules, the game commenced.
"Yun Ting, you're not playing?"
Jiang Peipei, seated in the front row of the audience, turned to Wan Yun Ting, who was sitting beside his second brother.
Jin Xiuwen and the others also turned to look at him. Wan Yun Ting, holding Wan'er, smiled and said, "I'm a substitute player. I'll play when I'm needed."
"Oh, I see."
Everyone's enthusiasm waned, as they had come to watch Wan Yun Ting play, only to find him a substitute.
"Don't make those faces, watching them play is just as good."
Wan Yun Ting pointed to the court where Luo Zhixiang and Lin Jianghua were already engaged. Wang Feng snatched the ball from the opening tip-off and passed it to Song Hui, who made a move. Lin Jianghua then drove towards the basket. A long pass from him was caught by Lin Jianghua, who immediately made a two-point shot.
The scoreboard lit up, showing the Guan Shi Professional team with two points!
"Zhou Mian, defend Wang Feng closely."
Luo Zhixiang, as the center, directed Zhu Li to defend Wang Feng and Cao Jinghua to defend Song Hui. Yang Zaiyu was to guard Wu Chunjian, and Zhu Li was to guard Zhang Qingshan.
The Hua Du City Professional team had possession of the ball. Zhu Li passed it directly to Luo Zhixiang. Lin Jianghua immediately rushed towards him, looking at Luo Zhixiang and provocatively asking, "Zhixiang, want to have a showdown?"
Facing Lin Jianghua's challenge, Luo Zhixiang glared and grunted, "Bring it on, who's afraid of who?"
"Then let's do it."
Lin Jianghua smirked and beckoned to Luo Zhixiang with a finger, full of provocation. The surrounding players from both teams deliberately stopped, allowing the two to duel one-on-one.
Anger surged within Luo Zhixiang. Controlling the ball with his right hand, he faced Lin Jianghua's defense and fearlessly charged forward, attempting several feints to break through.
But how could his opponent let him succeed? Lin Jianghua's movements were incredibly agile, and his reaction speed was lightning fast. All of Luo Zhixiang's breakthrough attempts were blocked, forcing him to retreat. This only made Luo Zhixiang's expression darken further, his anger boiling within him.
"Heh heh, you're too slow," Lin Jianghua taunted with a sneer.
"Damn it, I don't believe this..."
Luo Zhixiang's eyes widened as he dribbled the ball again towards Lin Jianghua. The basketball changed hands constantly as he tried to break through the defense.
The next second, Lin Jianghua saw his opening. With a swift grab, he instantly snatched the ball from Luo Zhixiang and passed it to Song Hui beside him. Song Hui, with the ball, immediately took a three-point shot. Clang! The ball went through the hoop.
Instantly, the fans supporting the Guan Shi Professional team erupted in cheers. On the court, Luo Zhixiang stood frozen, his expression dazed, as if he hadn't recovered from Lin Jianghua stealing his ball.
"This Luo Zhixiang is too weak...!"
"Yeah, with his skill level, he dares to challenge Lin Jianghua? It's pure overestimation of his abilities...!"
Seeing Luo Zhixiang lose a point, he was immediately subjected to various harsh criticisms from the fans in the audience. Jiang Peipei and Huang Yuqing, seated in the front row, sighed. Jin Xiuwen and He Chengping turned to Wan Yun Ting, who was holding Wan'er beside his second brother Wan Dongming, and said, "Old Wan, quickly tell your coach to substitute that guy and let you play."
Wan Yun Ting glanced at them and calmly smiled, "Stay calm, it's only just begun."
Feng Biao, standing on the sidelines, also angrily shouted at Luo Zhixiang, telling him not to be affected by Lin Jianghua and to play his game properly.
However, Luo Zhixiang was a straightforward guy. Provoked by Lin Jianghua and losing a point in public had ignited a fire within him. As a result, he played recklessly in the subsequent game, constantly trying to pressure Lin Jianghua. However, due to fouls, Luo Zhixiang received a warning from the referee.
After more than twenty minutes of play, the Guan Shi Professional team had scored thirty-two points, while the Hua Du City Professional team only had eighteen, trailing by fourteen points.
Witnessing such a performance, the fans in the audience were in an uproar, utterly disappointed by how poorly Luo Zhixiang and his teammates were playing, completely outmatched by the Guan Shi Professional team.
"If we continue playing like this, we'll definitely lose."
Jiang Peipei raised an eyebrow and said, "Lin Jianghua, Wang Feng, and that center Song Hui are all superior in skill to Luo Zhixiang and Zhou Mian. Most importantly, Luo Zhixiang's mentality is in disarray; he's completely lost coordination with his teammates. This needs to be adjusted."
Huang Yuqing and Jin Xiuwen, sitting beside him, nodded in agreement with Jiang Peipei's professional analysis. Even Wan Yun Ting raised an eyebrow. Luo Zhixiang's eyes were now bloodshot, adopting a posture of determined rivalry with Lin Jianghua. This approach wouldn't lead to victory.
Beep!
A few minutes later, Luo Zhixiang fouled Lin Jianghua again, and the referee blew the whistle for a warning.
"Timeout!"
Feng Biao immediately stepped onto the court, requesting a timeout. He called Luo Zhixiang, Zhou Mian, and the other players back to the bench and began to scold Luo Zhixiang intensely, "What kind of game is this? You've been completely led by Lin Jianghua the whole time. Don't you know he's doing it intentionally?"
At this moment, Luo Zhixiang seemed to understand Lin Jianghua's intention behind the initial provocation. Realizing his mistake, he sat there with his head bowed, filled with both anger and regret.
"You've committed two fouls, so you're out. Substitution."
Feng Biao glared at Luo Zhixiang with disappointment and then called out to Wan Yun Ting, who was sitting in the front row of the audience, "Yun Ting, you're replacing Luo Zhixiang!"
"Okay."
Wan Yun Ting responded, handing Wan'er to his second brother. Jiang Peipei, Huang Yuqing, and Jin Xiuwen all shouted, "Old Wan, good luck..."
"Mm."
Wan Yun Ting smiled and nodded, then quickly walked onto the court. He patted Luo Zhixiang on the shoulder as he sat with his head down, smiling, "Don't worry, I'll beat them until they cry later!"
Luo Zhixiang finally looked up, his eyes red as he looked at Wan Yun Ting, gritting his teeth, "Brother Wan, it's all up to you."
Feng Biao pointed at Wan Yun Ting and said, "Play well, just like you did in practice. Play until you blow them away."
"Yes."
Wan Yun Ting smiled and nodded, high-fiving Zhou Mian, Zhu Li, Cao Jinghua, and Yang Zaiyu. The five of them then took to the court.
"They've made a substitution..."
"Who is that player wearing the number 9 jersey?"
In the audience, the fans of the Hua Du City Professional team looked curiously at Wan Yun Ting, wearing jersey number 9, as he replaced Luo Zhixiang.
"Wan Yun Ting, isn't that the same Wan Yun Ting who is a people's hero against drug trafficking? How did he become a professional player?"
A fan recognized Wan Yun Ting and exclaimed in confusion.
"Who is number 9?"
Lin Jianghua and Wang Feng, as they took to the court, looked at Wan Yun Ting, who had replaced Luo Zhixiang, with confusion.
"I don't know. He wasn't on the roster before, was he?" Song Hui asked, puzzled.
"Heh heh, who cares who it is? Just a short guy. I'll crush him later."
Wang Feng, who was over two meters tall, sneered as he looked at Wan Yun Ting, who was only about 1.8 meters tall.
Lin Jianghua and Wu Chunjian chuckled. This number 9 was probably a newly recruited player by the Hua Du City Professional team. However, judging by his appearance, his skill level was unlikely to be very high.