“You’ve surpassed yourself, changed yourself, but just that is comforting for you and unsatisfying for me.”
The word “unsatisfying” dropped onto Nie Chuan’s heart, as if suddenly pressing him to the other side of the world.
“I want to win. Without the determination to win, you can’t go all out. No matter how many times you tell yourself ‘I’ve done my best,’ it’s just self-comfort. Truly doing your best means abandoning your own limits. You know what the best result is, and achieving it is what truly counts as the best. Otherwise, we can only hope for the second-best, then the third, and the fourth.”
Nie Chuan slowly smiled.
That’s just like Reese, never comforting anyone because comfort is too weak. What he wants is for Nie Chuan to abandon all weak excuses.
“We’ll win, Reese,” Nie Chuan said.
“Yeah, I know.” Reese lifted a finger, gently brushing Nie Chuan’s bangs.
From the stands, Ben suddenly sighed, “Hey, Sethston, have you noticed how Reese spoils Nie Chuan?”
“Oh, if that’s what you call spoiling, then I spoil you quite a bit too,” Sethston replied.
“No, what I mean is… Nie Chuan is special to Reese. No matter how tough things get, Reese always believes in Nie Chuan. Look at now, with four minutes left in the game, DK is playing well but still being suppressed by KSU, yet Reese is so calm.”
“Didn’t you have a feeling DK would beat KSU?” Sethston chuckled.
“Even so… like you said, can Nie Chuan still run as fast as before?” Ben started to worry.
The game resumed, and Nie Chuan stepped onto the court.
“Hey, Nie Chuan…” Carlo suddenly spoke.
“Yeah?”
“You have to trust us; you’re not fighting alone.”
Nie Chuan was stunned. His expression turned serious as he bumped fists with Carlo. “Of course.”
Yes, it’s not just him who wants to win, but the entire DK team.
Nie Chuan clenched his fist, looking at Raven and Ashley.
You guys are strong, but I’ve seen stronger.
The game resumed, the pace even faster than before.
Raven clearly intended to wear DK down, running full speed with Ashley.
Carlo chased after them like the wind; Nie Chuan hadn’t seen him run this fast in the first half.
Yes, they must stop Raven and Ashley, can’t let them be arrogant anymore!
Carlo ran between them, giving them no chance to pass.
Chuck somehow got to Raven’s other side. Raven stopped abruptly, shook off Chuck, and passed to the shooting guard.
The shooting guard was in a good position, but before he could shoot, Ewin “bang” knocked the ball away.
The crowd was shocked. When did Ewin get there?
Ewin smirked. No kidding, he practiced ball-handling and interception with Nie Chuan more than anyone else. Even if he didn’t master 50% of Nie Chuan’s skills, he got 30%!
As Nie Chuan caught the ball, the atmosphere heated up again. Everyone was eager to see what surprises this first-time small forward would bring.
Nie Chuan’s speed was still fierce. A sudden stop followed by a shoulder fake shook off the opposing point guard, so smooth that even eyes couldn’t keep up.
Raven and Ashley chased after him.
Raven was naturally fast, but now he felt an inexplicable pressure because Nie Chuan’s speed hadn’t slowed!
Nie Chuan faced the shooting guard, who was ready, but Nie Chuan suddenly switched the ball between his legs, breaking through so fast it took everyone’s breath away. The KSU shooting guard didn’t even react before Nie Chuan was gone, jumping lightly into the air. Even seasoned pros like Owen and Sethston craned their necks instinctively.
As Nie Chuan went for the layup, Raven arrived, ready to block from the left.
Everyone held their breath. Was the basket truly Raven’s domain?
But Nie Chuan’s expression was calm. He lowered his hand, curling his body.
Sethston, experienced as he was, vaguely understood what Nie Chuan was doing, his fingers instinctively gripping the railing, thinking: He can’t do it!
But as Nie Chuan’s body descended, it suddenly unfolded, the power and tension making blood surge. He went for a reverse layup from the other side of the basket!
Raven couldn’t block him in time. When the ball went in, the arena erupted in madness.
Many sports reporters complained.
“Oh my gosh! I didn’t capture that amazing moment!”
“It’s unbelievable! Even NBA pros might not pull that off!”
As Nie Chuan landed, he closed his eyes, telling himself: Yes, this feeling… don’t let it slip away… I want to win, I must win!
The other DK players were equally invigorated.
Coach Gordon slowly smiled, “He reminded me of a phoenix, reborn from the ashes. You were right, Reese… The more pressure Raven and Ashley put on him, the more room he has to rebound. I never know what he’ll do next.”
Reese’s gaze was deep, like a sail gathering strength from all directions, propelling Nie Chuan to the horizon.
“Yes, today everyone will know, DK isn’t just Reese Reddington.”
Three and a half minutes remained.
Nie Chuan’s mind was clearer than ever.
KSU felt the pressure from Nie Chuan’s incredible performance. The point guard rushed forward, quickly passing to the shooting guard, with Ewin intercepting.
This wasn’t the first time KSU’s shooting guard faced Ewin. Ewin’s knees were low, his gaze intense, following every move. The shooting guard had to pass to Ashley, who was about to charge when Nie Chuan blocked him.
Ashley used a fake move, swinging his body widely. Nie Chuan seemed fooled but somehow regained his balance. Raven came to support, and Ashley faked a shot. Nie Chuan jumped, almost blocking Ashley’s highest point. Despite the exertion, his jumping power was still impressive, and the audience, including Owen Wishaw, Alvin, and even Ben Robbins, felt immense pressure.
Ashley was about to celebrate fooling Nie Chuan when Nie Chuan’s other hand slammed the ball down before Ashley could fully retract it, then quickly turned back to KSU’s basket.
The crowd applauded.
“Oh my gosh! That black-haired Nie Chuan is so cool!”
“Go, Nie Chuan! Charge!”
Nie Chuan headed for the basket. Despite warnings not to clash with Raven under the basket, so what?
If he could score once against Raven’s defense, he could do it a second time! A third time!
Watch me, Reese! Watch me!
Everything you can do, everything you want to do, today I’ll do it for you!
Nie Chuan took a step and soared, and Reese stood up at that moment.
In his eyes was only Nie Chuan breaking through all resistance.
KSU’s center made a move, jumping with all his might, knowing that if he couldn’t stop Nie Chuan, DK’s momentum would only grow!
Though KSU was leading, the pressure from DK was suffocating!
This was a cross-cutting layup, about to be covered by KSU’s center. The three commentators looked up, only to see Nie Chuan pull the ball back and shoot again!
It was a reverse layup!
Only someone with Nie Chuan’s exceptional hang time and balance could do it so skillfully!
But as Nie Chuan shot the second time, Raven arrived, jumping with full force. Many fans covered their eyes, unable to bear seeing such a beautiful layup blocked!
But Nie Chuan pulled the ball back again, faster than the eye could see, then sent it out once more, the ball slipping past Raven’s arm.
Raven’s eyes widened, never expecting Nie Chuan to pull off a double reverse layup!
Even Raven Harvey couldn’t confidently do that!
Even Reese Reddington hadn’t done it more than twice!
Nie Chuan had no idea where his strength came from, his body like a slingshot.
The ball went in.
A second of silence followed by wild applause.
Nie Chuan landed, taking a deep breath. He lifted his face, the loss of energy making his heart pound heavily. He took a step forward, his legs feeling like lead as they relaxed.
But the joy in his heart was unparalleled.
He looked at Reese, who had stood up, giving him a thumbs-up.
See me, Reese! I’m desperately chasing after you!
I’m about to catch up to you!
Reese’s lips moved slightly, and with their mutual understanding, Nie Chuan knew exactly what he said.
I love you.
I love you so much.
Whether it was Carlo, Heishan, Ewin, or Chuck, they looked at Nie Chuan’s back with unprecedented certainty. They would win! They would definitely win this game!
With two minutes and twenty seconds left, DK was only one point behind KSU.
Nie Chuan jogged slowly, adjusting his breathing.
Everyone knew he was tired.
But almost everyone had a feeling he would create another miracle.
