The next day at the Qinzhou Sports Center, Han Qi, donning a professional athlete's attire, let out a long yawn, sporting an inconspicuous dark circle under his eyes.
"Oops," he muttered, feeling a bit drowsy.
Despite his efforts to muster the willpower to sleep early the previous night, Han Qi found himself lost in imaginative plots from "Net King." The more he tried to sleep, the more elusive it became, leaving him restless until he finally drifted off, but he couldn't tell how long it took.
"Get ready," the coach's voice snapped him out of his daze.
Han Qi sprang into action after warming up.
The tennis match, while not of significant importance in the grand scheme, held personal significance for Han Qi. With his friends in the audience, he was determined not to lose face in front of them.
The crowd cheered as the match began.
Han Qi's opponent, a seasoned player, initially had the upper hand, taking advantage of Han Qi's lack of rest and focus.
"Calm down," Han Qi reminded himself inwardly.
As the game progressed, Han Qi clawed his way back, gradually equalizing the score. Both players entered a state of heightened tension.
"This is getting intense," the commentator remarked excitedly. "Han Qi seemed off at the start, but he's regained his rhythm. His opponent, a veteran, is visibly fatigued. Let's see how experience and wisdom play out..."
Breathless, the players battled on.
Half an hour into the game, the sixth match point proved crucial. With the score tied, both sides played cautiously, unwilling to risk aggressive moves.
Then, in a moment of inspiration, Han Qi remembered a move from "Net King."
"Spin serve!" he called out.
This unconventional move caught his opponent off guard, resulting in a crucial point for Han Qi. The crowd erupted in cheers as the commentator hailed it as a brilliant ACE.
With the tide turned in his favor, Han Qi emerged victorious, his face flushed with excitement. In the aftermath, he couldn't help but shout in jubilation, feeling like a child reveling in a triumphant moment.
Back in the locker room, the coach looked at Han Qi in amazement. "Since when did you start practicing spin serves? That was quite a display out there."
"You won't believe it," Han Qi replied with a grin. "I picked it up from reading novels."
His teammates chuckled, thinking he was joking.
But when asked by reporters about his winning move, Han Qi credited his inspiration to "Net King," acknowledging the book's influence on his game.
The news spread quickly, causing a stir among readers of "Net King."
"Did Han Qi really learn from the novel?"
"It seems even professional athletes are impressed by the authenticity of 'Net King.' I never realized tennis moves could be so accurately depicted."
"I have a newfound respect for 'Net King'."
"Who knew Han Qi would take cues from a novel?"