"No need," Qin Sheng said dismissively, squinting at the hoop. It wasn't that high. Her gaze was steady, her confidence unshaken.
Lin Feng's frustration surged. This wasn't just about the game anymore—his pride was on the line. He had to put this woman in her place. Without a proper lesson, how could he maintain his status as the top player?
"Begin!" the referee announced, blowing the whistle and marking the official start of the match.
Lin Feng wasted no time. He snatched the ball and executed a confident shot, the ball sailing smoothly into the basket. The crowd erupted in cheers.
"Awesome, Brother Feng!" Lin Feng's followers cheered him on at just the right moment, their voices filled with admiration.
His second shot was just as impressive. It arced gracefully through the air and landed in the hoop with precision.
"So cool, Brother Feng!"
And the third shot followed suit, with the ball swishing through the net once again.
"Unstoppable, Brother Feng!"
Breathing heavily from exertion, Lin Feng smirked at Qin Sheng. "Might as well concede now; it'll save you some embarrassment."
"Cut the nonsense," Qin Sheng retorted sharply. Without hesitation, she grabbed the ball and deftly evaded Lin Feng's attempt to block her. Standing outside the three-point line, she concentrated all her energy into the shot. The ball soared in a perfect arc, heading straight for the basket.
Everyone's eyes followed the ball's trajectory with bated breath.
Lin Feng snorted dismissively. A three-pointer? Did she even have the skill for that? He was sure her attempt would miss.
To his shock, the ball swished cleanly through the hoop. It went in! It actually went in!
Lin Feng stared in disbelief at Qin Sheng. She showed no sign of excitement or triumph; her demeanor remained calm and collected, as if making a perfect shot was the most natural thing in the world.
Realizing that Qin Sheng was not to be underestimated, Lin Feng dropped his carefree attitude and began to take the game seriously. He was determined to prove himself, but it was already too late.
From that moment on, whenever Qin Sheng had the ball, Lin Feng couldn't even get near it. She scored effortlessly each time, and every shot was a three-pointer. It was clear she had mastered the game in a way he hadn't anticipated.
Even when he managed to get his hands on the ball, Qin Sheng would skillfully steal it back. The match continued with Qin Sheng dominating the court, her movements graceful and precise.
By the end of the game, Lin Feng was exhausted. He collapsed on the ground, barely able to move. The result was undeniable: Lin Feng had been utterly defeated by Qin Sheng.
He took a water bottle from one of his lackeys and gulped down its contents, still unable to accept that he had been outplayed by a girl.
"Sheng Sheng, have you trained in basketball?" Qin Sheng's deskmate, Huang Xiaoyan, asked, her eyes sparkling with admiration.
"No," Qin Sheng's expression softened upon seeing Huang Xiaoyan, and she couldn't help but pinch the girl's slightly chubby cheeks. Not many knew she had a fondness for cute things and gestures of affection.
"You've never trained, yet you play so well?" Huang Xiaoyan was even more impressed with Qin Sheng's natural talent.
"Maybe I just learn quickly," Qin Sheng said honestly, glancing at Lin Feng with a hint of satisfaction.
"Dammit!" Lin Feng spat out a mouthful of water, coughing uncontrollably. Good at fighting, skilled at basketball—was this even a woman? His disbelief was palpable, mixed with frustration and awe.
Scrambling up from the ground, Lin Feng blurted out, "Dad."
"No, no, I mean Sister Sheng," he stammered, catching Qin Sheng's faint gaze. He hastily corrected himself, his face flushing with embarrassment.
"Sister Sheng, from now on, I, Lin Feng, acknowledge you as my leader." Lin Feng glanced at his followers of two years, his eyes squeezed shut as if bracing for impact, and painfully added, "From now on, you all do the same. Remember to call her Sister Sheng."
Lin Feng's lackeys, having seen their leader's defeat, obediently chimed in, "Sister Sheng."
Qin Sheng paused as she took the water Huang Xiaoyan brought her, her expression neutral. "I have no interest in taking your position as leader."
Lin Feng's face brightened with a hopeful smile. "Sister Sheng, just say the word, and I'll do anything you ask, without hesitation."
Even after speaking, Lin Feng continued to spout flattery, desperately trying to ingratiate himself with Qin Sheng.
Growing impatient, Qin Sheng frowned and decided it was time to leave. She walked away with determination, while Lin Feng kept praising her, oblivious to the fact that she had already left the scene.
That evening, upon returning to the Qin household, Qin Hai sat in the living room with a stern expression. "Explain to me, why didn't you go to Class One? And why, as a girl, do you think it's appropriate to get into fights like this?"
**(End of Chapter)**