SSD 43. Qinghuo vs. Yangsheng: The Game Ends

What Tian Yi could never have known was that the reason Xu Fanming could perform like this… was entirely thanks to him.

Xu Fanming had great instincts. After being tested by adversity a few times, he came to understand how crucial Tian Yi’s calm under pressure really was.

He was smart and naturally talented at basketball. After He Jiang’s advice and his own insight, he began slowly trying to calm himself, to pull away from that emotional feedback loop and throw himself fully into the game.

Quickly absorbing lessons and applying them on the court was the essence of learning in real time. And that was precisely Xu Fanming’s strength. He could constantly draw from those around him, taking their best traits and making them his own. No longer crushed by adversity, he began trying to adapt to it, command it, turn danger into opportunity and the impossible into something miraculous.

Just how much more was this small forward capable of? Every spectator’s eyes lit up.

As the focal point of the match, Xu Fanming lived up to every expectation. He gave them exactly what they came to see.

Yangsheng and Qinghuo were evenly matched. Both teams were giving it their all.

By now, both sides had passed the 100-point mark. Fang Ruihan and Tian Yi, the two captains, were gasping for air.

With their stamina depleted, it was inevitable that the players’ focus started to fray. Wen Qin’s breathing was heavy, he had just run across both halves of the court nonstop, and was only now catching his breath. Just then, a white-clad opponent reached out and caught a pass from across the court.

Wen Qin froze. The opponent had already broken past his defense, charging straight under Qinghuo’s basket and scoring with a layup.

“100 to 102”!

They were down by one! Fang Ruihan held his breath. He looked up at the scoreboard timer above the backboard. Less than forty seconds left in the game.

In other words, no matter who scored the final point, the match was about to end. The decisive moment had finally arrived.

Forty seconds. The clock was ticking. Victory or defeat could change in an instant.

At this match point, Fang Ruihan could only pray silently in his heart that Qinghuo would take the next shot. If they could make up those two points, at least they could force overtime against Yangsheng. But if Yangsheng scored again, all they would be left with was the bitter taste of defeat.

Even Pan Yuan on the sidelines was so nervous she nearly forgot to take photos. She clutched her camera tightly in both hands, silently chanting to herself, Come on, everyone, please.. please… make it count!

The ball hit the floor and was scooped up by Zhu Xuyao. He drove forward, charging toward Yangsheng’s half. Just as he was about to cross the three-point line, Tian Yi suddenly appeared in front of him.

Zhu Xuyao had just started to shift right, planning to cut in from that side. But the moment they brushed past each other, he felt his hand go light.

Fuck!

Tian Yi had stolen the ball.

Zhu Xuyao immediately spun around to chase after him. The two of them sprinted across Qinghuo’s half of the court, one in front and one behind. Just as Tian Yi was about to cut into the paint, Zhu Xuyao managed to block his path in time.

Tian Yi, the core defender, was breathing hard after four grueling possessions. His stamina was nearly depleted, but he forced himself to stay sharp. These were the final seconds. No matter what, he had to hold on to the very end.

Because he was Yangsheng’s devil guard.

He tried again to break past Zhu Xuyao’s defense, but this time, Zhu had wised up. He stuck to him tightly, guarding all angles. By now, he had found his rhythm, and with his focus razor sharp, Tian Yi’s fakes were no longer enough to fool him.

Tian Yi clenched his jaw and tried again to break through from the right, cradling the ball tightly as he pushed forward. But he failed again. Before Zhu Xuyao could steal it, he quickly pulled the ball back and started dribbling between his legs.

From the corner of his eye, he scanned the court, trying to find a teammate to pass to, but now was a terrible moment. Not a single player around him was in a good position to receive the ball.

Either his teammates were being locked down by defenders, or they were out of position to make a good shot, or their stamina was drained and their focus was already slipping.

The seconds kept ticking down. What now? What was he supposed to do?

Tian Yi’s pupils suddenly contracted.

He had never imagined that in such a critical, game-deciding moment, he would have to rely on a jump shot to score.

He was well aware of his strengths. He could drive, rebound, and defend with confidence. But when it came to shooting, his accuracy had always been frustratingly poor. Most of his points came from layups, occasionally from assists. Free throws, threes, spot-up shots, long-range attempts… they had always been a lingering weakness, one he had never managed to shake.

It wasn’t like he hadn’t tried to improve. Maybe it was because his practice sessions were inefficient, or maybe he just never grasped the right technique. Whatever the reason, the results were always disappointing.

Some said shooting was all about touch and form, and that practicing more would fix everything. Others insisted it came down to talent. Just look at Shaquille O’Neal’s free throws. Even after all that hard work, they never really improved.

Tian Yi had heard it all before, and eventually, he just gave up hope.

So he made a decision. He would stop fighting his weakness and focus on what he did best. He willingly stepped back into a defensive role, using his strengths to control the ball and manage the tempo on the court.

But just then, a different idea stirred in his mind.

What if he threw caution aside and went for it? What if he tried to push past his limits?

The truth was, Tian Yi still had no confidence in his shooting.

If the ball hit the rim and bounced off, it might get stolen on the rebound. In a game this close, they couldn’t afford that kind of risk.

What should he do? Pass it? Take the shot?

The timer on the backboard ticked down to the final ten seconds. Nine, eight—

This was their last chance.

Tian Yi narrowed his eyes, putting some distance between himself and Zhu Xuyao. He raised the ball in both hands to his forehead, aiming for the basket. His fingers hesitated, digging into the rough surface of the ball—

And then, everything went blank.

In that split second of hesitation, another hand shot in from the side and knocked the ball away.

Tian Yi’s eyes widened in shock. He whipped his head around and caught a glimpse of Xu Fanming, streaking past like a gust of wind.

He had been stripped.

Pan Yuan’s eyes turned red with urgency. She shouted toward the court, “Fanming, five seconds left!”

Five seconds left. Was there still time? Tian Yi’s brows tightened. What the hell was he thinking?

Xu Fanming sprinted with everything he had, shutting out the noise in his ears, the ticking clock, even the rhythm of his own breath. He poured every ounce of energy into the ball as he drove it forward, the sound of it pounding the court echoing in his mind.

Bang. Bang. Bang.

It’s only when I’m playing that I feel real. That I feel truly happy.

The timer began its final countdown.
“Three!”

Xu Fanming crossed the line just outside Yangsheng’s three-point arc.

No matter what, I want to win just once, with everyone watching. I want to prove to every person on that screen that I was right. I want them to see that I love basketball, that no matter where I end up, this is the game I love.

“Two!”

Xu Fanming came to a sudden stop. He bent his knees, tightened his arms, and launched the ball into the air.

That’s why this year, in this provincial competition, I’m going to take it all the way.

“One!”

Bang—

The ball pierced the hoop, tearing through the net and slamming hard into the court as it bounced out with a surge of momentum.

The scoreboard froze. The referee’s whistle rang out. The final score lit up for all to see:
103 to 102.

Qinghuo wins.

A wave of explosive euphoria surged through the court.

They had won.

The crowd erupted. As the applause thundered through the stands, the Qinghuo players shouted with joy and threw their arms around each other, then lifted Xu Fanming high into the air and tossed him up.

“Fan dad is a fucking legend! Fan dad’s the best!”

That last, tide-turning three-pointer had been far too thrilling. Everyone watching felt their blood surge with excitement. Looking back on this game, there had been danger and setbacks, and there had been miracles pulled from the brink. Sudden plunges and last-minute saves. Two evenly matched teams had pushed each other through two grueling battles, and finally, this strange and beautiful encounter had found its perfect ending.

The game had been glorious. There was nothing to regret.

On the sidelines, He Jiang watched as Xu Fanming was hoisted into the air, looking dazed and dumbfounded. He narrowed his eyes slightly, and his lips softened without even realizing it.

The moment Xu Fanming stole the ball from Tian Yi for that final shot, a memory had flashed through He Jiang’s mind.

It was during their first practice match against Yangsheng. Zhu Xuyao had been startled by Tian Yi, who had suddenly leapt out to block the shot. His hand shook, the shot missed, and they lost two points. Back then, Tian Yi had unwavering faith in his speed and his vertical. He never doubted himself. That confidence allowed him to throw aside every calculation, every risk, and put everything he had into a series of “impossible” interception moves.

And today, the roles had reversed.

Because Xu Fanming believed in his own ability, he had charged ahead. Because he loved basketball, loved the court, he had thrown away every stray thought in those final seconds, putting everything on the line to fight until the very end.

He was still him, that same radiant, fearless presence lighting up the court. That same confident, soaring figure He Jiang couldn’t stop watching, no matter how hard he tried.

The game was over.