Ming You stood on the abandoned court, his eyes gleaming with confidence. He knew that the upcoming game would be decisive. At that moment, the gangsters —Taek Jung and Sung Wo—approached him, all three wearing sly smiles.
"Well, Ming You," Taek Jung began, adjusting his leather jacket, "how are you doing? Are you ready for the next game?"
"Ready," Ming You replied, keeping his gaze fixed on the horizon. "But I need to know which team we're up against."
Sung Wo shook his head and replied, "Remember Shi Lei and Hong Ji, the ones you beat? They have a team from school days called 'Tungdzo,' but don't think that just because you managed to beat them, it was because they underestimated you and weren't paying attention to the time. In a five-on-five game, those two are real monsters."
Ming You smirked. "Tungdzo," thanks to Shi Lei and Hong Ji, was known for their brutality, but he knew he could outsmart them like everyone else. However, his plan was more immoral. He turned to the gangsters.
"I want to bet my team's double debt on Tungdzo," he said, his voice steady.
The gangsters exchanged glances, their faces showing surprise.
"Are you serious?" Taek Jung asked, squinting. "If Tungdzo loses, you'll lose everything you have."
"Yes," Ming You replied without hesitation. "But if they win and Yoshido loses, I'll get the amount of double debt from all my players. This will give me complete control over them."
Sung Wo and Taek Jung laughed, their laughter filled with disbelief.
"Are you really willing to risk everything for this? This is immoral even for you, Ming You. You're putting your team in jeopardy."
"Immorality is just a matter of perspective," Ming You countered, his dark eyes sparkling with excitement. "I'm not going to let them control me and drag me down without any benefit. If my team wins, I'll be in debt. But if they lose, I'll become their true captain and earn their double debt, while you, in the meantime, will profit from betting on Tungdzo."
Taek Jung, still astonished by such absurd shamelessness, asked, "What if they don't listen to you during the game? You know how stubborn they can be."
"I'll take care of that," Ming You replied confidently. "I've already prepared a plan. If it doesn't work, I'll make them understand that winning the first game is not an option."
Sung Wo shook his head, but interest flickered in his eyes.
"Alright," he said. "We'll bet on Tungdzo and agree to your wager. But remember, Ming You, if you lose the bet, we'll take everything you have."
"I'm ready," Ming You replied, his voice full of confidence in defeating the opponents. "This will be a game they won't forget."
The gangsters exchanged glances, and Taek Jung nodded.
"We'll tell our guys to bet on Tungdzo, but you must be prepared for the consequences."
Ming You smirked, his confidence only growing.
"I'm always ready," he said. "And I'm not going to lose."
After the agreement, Ming You and the gang dispersed. He headed home to the rented apartment he had secured after winning against Shi Lei and Hong Ji.
When he arrived, Ming You sat at the table, surrounded by cards and empty notes. The room was silent, interrupted only by the quiet murmur of the new captain analyzing his actions. Ming You knew that the upcoming game would be crucial, and his team needed to be prepared for defeat for his own benefit. However, another idea was brewing in his mind—an idea that could completely break his team.
"If I can create chaos on the court, it will give me an advantage," he mused.
Leaning back, Ming You began to sift through ideas, his thoughts quickly forming into a plan. He understood that the physical condition of the court could play a key role in the game.
"Oiling the floor is the perfect option," he continued, smiling to himself. "It will make the surface slippery. Sand will add unevenness, and water will create puddles. This should confuse the players."
He contemplated how to implement all of this. "If I can make them fall and lose their balance, they won't be able to showcase their best qualities. It will be the perfect trap."
The next day, Ming You arrived at practice, filled with determination. He approached the team, who were warming up on the court.
"Guys, let's do something new!" he said, trying to sound inspiring. "I want you to work on your coordination and reaction. It will help us in the game."
The players, unaware of his intentions, eagerly agreed.
"Sounds great, Ming You! We're ready!" Lu Shen replied.
"Awesome! Let's start with a few laps around the court. Try not to fall!" he said with a sly smile.
The team began to run, and Ming You observed their movements, his heart racing with excitement. He knew everything was going according to plan.
After the first half of practice, Ming You headed to the storage room to gather the necessary materials. He quietly talked to himself as he collected oil and sand.
"No one must find out about my plan," he whispered. "If everything goes well, I'll be able to squeeze out maximum benefit and solidify my position. These guys don't understand that I'm doing this for their own good… or at least for my own."
When the team took a break, he poured oil on the court and scattered sand, then returned to the team, filled with anticipation.
When Ming You came back, he saw the team starting to slip and fall.
"Hey, Ming You, what's going on here? The court is too slippery!" one of the players yelled as he fell to the floor.
"It's just a warm-up," Ming You replied, suppressing a smile. "You need to learn to deal with difficulties. It will help you in the game."
The players laughed, but deep down they didn't realize this was only the beginning.
Ming You watched as the team began to tire. He approached them, trying to encourage.
"Let's add a bit of speed! Try to run again, but this time, try not to fall."
The players, oblivious to his true intentions, rushed into action once more.
"Oh, this is impossible! Why is it so hard?" exclaimed Hong Ren, falling again.
"Ouch!" Jung Ho sprained his ankle.
"Hey, be careful; in the game, no one will give you a chance," Ming You said with a deceitful smile.
Jung Ho, gritting his teeth in pain, struggled to continue the practice after a short break.
"Good job," Ming You thought, watching the chaos on the court. "The more they fall, the more confidence I have. I'll be able to exploit their weaknesses in the game."
He felt satisfaction as his plan began to unfold. Ming You knew a tough game awaited him, but for now, he relished the moment as his cunning bore fruit.
After the Yoshido team faced numerous sprains and falls during practice, tension mounted. Ming You, observing their suffering, felt his plan starting to work. However, to avoid raising suspicions, he decided to take on the role of a benevolent captain.
"Guys, don't worry!" he said with a wide smile as he approached the team gathering for the streetball game. "It's just practice. We all learn from our mistakes!"
The players, despite their injuries and fatigue, tried to encourage one another. They knew the game was approaching, and they needed to rally. Ming You continued to hypocritically cheer them on, trying to create an atmosphere of confidence.
"You have every chance! You're strong, and I believe in you!" he said, although deep down he understood that their chances of success were minimal.
Meanwhile, the team began to gather. They discussed tactics and strategies, but anxiety and uncertainty hung in the air. Each of them knew they weren't in top form, which added to their worry.
"We need to focus on our strengths," Jung Ho said, attempting to lift the morale. "We need to work together!"
"Yes, exactly!" Ming You supported him, even though he knew their strengths were under threat due to his plans. "The key is teamwork and belief in each other! But don't forget about winning."
The Yoshido team began to prepare for the game, but fatigue and dissatisfaction were evident in their eyes. They tried to ignore their injuries and concentrate on the upcoming match. Ming You, in turn, felt increasingly confident as he watched his plan unfold.
When they arrived at the streetball court, the air was filled with anticipation. The team stood in a circle, discussing the final details, but fear was already brewing in their hearts before the impending game.
"We need to show what we're capable of!" Haru Lin exclaimed, trying to inspire the others. "We're a team, and we can handle any difficulties!"
Ming You, standing a bit aside, observed their reactions. He knew their confidence was undermined by his actions, but he wasn't going to show it. A hypocritical smile never left his face as he continued to cheer them on.
"Yes, you can!" he shouted, raising his hands. "Let's hit the court and show everyone what we're capable of!"
Despite his words, deep down the team understood that their preparation was far from ideal. But now they had no choice but to focus on the game and hope for Ming You's strategies, which were, in fact, against them.
"The game should start in 20 minutes; I'll find out about the bets in the meantime. Maybe we can earn some extra on top after winning," Ming You began to plot a more ruthless plan."