Night, the streetball court.
"And the extra winnings are quite a strong motivator," continued Lu Shen, "Come on, guys, we can do this!"
Meanwhile, Ming You made his way through the crowd toward Taek Jung.
"Taek Jung," Ming You began, addressing the squad leader who sat opposite him, "I need to talk to you about my strategy for the game."
Taek Jung raised an eyebrow, looking at Ming You in surprise. The other gangsters also froze, listening in on the conversation.
"Is something wrong?" he asked. "You look like something heavy is weighing on you. Is your team ready to win, and you'll be our debtor? Heh-heh." The other gangsters laughed as well.
"Quite the opposite; I just need to stage a scene to get out of the game without looking like I'm throwing them under the bus," Ming You said confidently as the gangsters' laughter faded. "I want you to help me."
"With what?" one of the gangsters, named Han Gu, asked, bewildered. "We're about to play, and you want us to help you?"
"Yes, exactly," Ming You confirmed. "I want you to shoot me in the leg."
The noisy court fell silent. The gangsters exchanged glances, unable to believe their ears.
"Are you out of your mind?" Taek Jung exclaimed, his voice filled with shock. "I know you're a bit of a lunatic, but this is too much!"
"Listen," Ming You continued, "if I get injured, I won't be able to participate in the game. This will give me a way to exit without suspicion."
"But shooting yourself in the leg to get out of the game?" Taek Jung said, still in disbelief. "That's dangerous for us and for you! You could seriously hurt yourself, and we could get caught."
"I understand, but it's the best option," Ming You replied, his voice growing more confident. "I've thought through all the details. If I get injured, all the attention will be on me, and the opponents will easily win since I'm the only one without injuries, and with a shot leg, I definitely won't be playing."
The gangsters exchanged glances again, and a silence hung in the air. Finally, one of them, named Sun Wo, spoke up:
"I don't know, Ming You. This is really harsh. But if you're sure this is your only way out…"
"I'm sure," Ming You interrupted. "Don't worry; I won't complain. But aim for the flesh; I still need the bones in my leg."
"Alright," Taek Jung finally said, sighing. "If you're set on this, we'll support you. But don't blame us later, okay?"
Ming You nodded, feeling the tension gradually ease. He knew his plan was risky, but he had no other choice. He had to do this for his victory.
When it was time for the game, Ming You and his team stepped onto the court. The opponents were already waiting for them, ready for a fight. Ming You felt adrenaline surging through his veins. He knew he had to act quickly.
"Remember," he whispered to his teammates before the game began, "study the opponents closely and exploit their weaknesses."
"We're on it," Jung Ho replied confidently, and the others nodded in agreement.
The game began. Ming You tried to look focused on the game. He moved around the court, dodging balls and shots, but excitement was building inside him. He knew time was running out.
Suddenly, Lu Shen threw the ball toward him from the opposite side. Ming You caught it deftly but felt his heart race. He stepped back as if he were about to shoot from the center and suddenly shouted:
"Hey, look!"
All attention shifted to him. At that moment, one of the gangsters, Han Gu, sitting across the court, pulled out a gun.
Bang.
In that instant, Han Gu shot Ming You in the leg, but thanks to his experience in shootouts, he managed to hit without hitting the bone, and afterward, under the cover of the other gangsters, Han fled the court.
Blood oozed everywhere, and Ming You felt a sharp pain as the bullet struck his leg. He screamed and fell to the ground.
"Ming You!" Jung Ho shouted, rushing toward him. "What happened?!"
The spectators froze. One of the spectators wanted to call an ambulance and the police, but he was stopped by Taek Jung and his henchmen, and the spectators remained seated in silence.
Lying on the ground, Ming You closed his eyes and tried to portray greater suffering. He knew his plan had worked. All attention was focused on him, and the Yoshido team, seeing his injury, began to lose concentration.
"Quick, call an ambulance!" shouted Lu Shen, rushing to Ming You.
Ming You felt his plan unfolding. He didn't want his team to win, and now he had the chance to avoid playing.
"It's alright," he said through gritted teeth, trying to look more exhausted. "Just… just continue without me…"
Lu Shen and Jung Ho lifted Ming You and carried him to the bench, while Ming You, gritting his teeth from the pain, pulled the bullet out of his leg with his bare hands. Then he tore a piece from his shirt, starting to bandage the wound.
"You actually did it!" Taek Jung laughed, bewildered as they stepped aside. "You shot yourself just to avoid playing? That's insane!"
"This isn't insanity," Ming You replied with a cold smile. "It's achieving a goal for victory. I'm creating an image of a victim, and everyone will pity me. And when the team loses, they won't be able to blame me."
"But that's risky too," noted another gangster. "If they figure out that you're manipulating them, it could backfire. Not to mention the leg wound and the chance of hitting a bone. If it weren't for our experienced partner and your confidence, you might never play again."
"Don't worry," Ming You confidently replied, "What's done is done, and now I have another proposal for you." Ming You showed a cunning smile.
"Are you planning something crazy again?" Taek Jung asked.
"No, probably just need to stage an interesting scene. But we'll make it look like I just want to help the team."
Meanwhile, a real battle was raging on the court. The Yoshido team was trying their hardest, but Ming You knew their chances of success were minimal. He saw Jung Ho, the team captain, trying to lift his teammates' spirits, but the tension was mounting.
"We have to win!" Jung Ho shouted, waving his arms. "We can't let them take our money!"
"Yes, we can do it!" the players supported him, but there was uncertainty in their voices.
Ming You, watching this scene, couldn't help but smirk. He knew their efforts were in vain. At that moment, he approached the gangsters and continued the discussion.
"So, here's how we'll do it," he began, surveying his new "partners." "After the team loses, one of you should say that the captain's debt has doubled."
"That will look too suspicious," Taek Jung countered. "If we say the debt doubles, they might suspect something is wrong."
"No," Ming You retorted, "that's exactly what we need. They should think it's standard practice. And then, when they're in a panic, I'll step in and say that I want to take on their debts too."
"But you don't plan to pay them back, do you?" Taek Jung asked, narrowing his eyes.
"Of course not," Ming You replied, his eyes glinting with greed. "I just want them to believe I'm saving them. In reality, all the profit will remain with me."
"That's really immoral," Taek Jung mumbled, but there was interest in his voice. "I want to see how this works out."
"It will work," Ming You confidently declared, "and we'll all profit. I'll have the team under my control, and you'll get your money."
As the game continued, Ming You returned to the bench, pretending to suffer from pain. He couldn't help but notice how the Yoshido team was starting to lose confidence. Every miss, every fall only heightened the tension.
"We can't lose," Jung Ho whispered as his team missed the ball again. "This is our last chance!"
The Yoshido team nodded in desperation, trying to muster motivation and strength for victory.
On the other side of the court, the opposing team, led by Shi Lei and Hong Ji, looked confident and ready to attack. Shi Lei, a tall and powerful player, had already begun to showcase his skills, confidently dribbling the ball toward the basket.
"Out of the way, kid!" Shi Lei yelled as he sped past Haru Lin. "This is a walk in the park!"
"Don't let him through!" Hong Ren shouted, but his voice was too weak to stop the opponent. Shi Lei shot the ball, and it effortlessly went through the hoop.
"7-2 in our favor!" Hong Ji said with a smirk, winking at his teammates. "This is just the beginning!"
Feeling the pressure, the Yoshido team tried to regroup. Haru Lin took the initiative and charged forward, trying to bypass the defenders.
"I'm going!" he shouted, but his attempt was thwarted by Hong Ji, who easily blocked his shot.
"You're not getting through," Hong Ji said mockingly. "Did you think this would be easy?"
"We won't give up!" Haru replied, lifting the ball for another attempt, but once again he faced a block. He fell, and his knee, already bruised from Ming You's training, hit the asphalt.
"Haru, are you alright?" Lu Shen shouted, rushing to him. "Get up!"
"I'm fine," Haru replied, although his voice sounded weak. He struggled to rise, but it was clear he couldn't play at full strength.
Meanwhile, Shi Lei took the ball again and, using his strength, broke through the Yoshido defense. He threw the ball into the hoop and scored again.
"Ha-ha!" he laughed, raising his hands in the air. "Where's your defense? Or was it only Ming You who could play here?"
The Yoshido team was in disarray. Lu Shen, sensing the situation was becoming critical, tried to rally them.
"Guys, focus!" he shouted. "We can do this if we work together!"
"And what do you think we're doing?!" Hong Ren exclaimed, although his voice sounded uncertain. He understood that their chances of success were dwindling.
At that moment, Lu Shen grabbed the ball and finally decided to take matters into his own hands. He pushed through the defenders with effort, but Shi Lei was once again in his way.
"You're not getting through," Shi Lei said, extending his hands to block the shot.
"Give me a chance!" Lu shouted, throwing the ball, but his attempt was stopped. The ball bounced aside, and Hong Ren dashed for it.
"I'll take it!" he shouted, running toward the ball, but at that moment his ankle twisted, and he fell to the ground, clutching his ankle.
"Damn it!" Hong Ren cursed, his face contorted in pain. "I can't continue!"
"Hong, get up!" Lu shouted, but it was too late. The Yoshido team was losing one player after another, and their chances of success were rapidly diminishing.
"This is just pathetic," Hong Ji sneered, watching the scene unfold. "They can't even get it together."
"Let's finish them off!" Shi Lei shouted, taking the ball again. He easily passed by Haru and threw the ball into the hoop.
"We…" Lu Shen said in shock, his voice filled with despair.
"Lost…" Jung Ho continued for him.
The defeat of the Yoshido team became inevitable. The gangsters, laughing and celebrating their victory, approached the players who were filled with despair.
"Well, guys," Taek Jung said, a smirk on his face. "Now you're forever at our mercy. Your debt is $20,000. And your captain's debt is double that. How do you want to pay?"
"What?" Lu Shen asked, incredulous.
"Double debt for the captain? Ming You?" Jung Ho was astonished.
The team stood with their heads down, realizing their dreams of victory were shattered. At that moment, Ming You, who had been watching everything from the bench, stood up and approached the gangsters.
"Wait!" he shouted, pretending to be alarmed. "You can't leave them in servitude!"
The gangsters began to laugh at his words. Taek Jung leaned toward Ming You and said disdainfully:
"And who are you to tell us what to do? You have a debt too, especially a double one, don't forget!"
"Yes," Ming You replied, trying to maintain a serious tone. "But I can't let you take my friends. We're all in this together, and I'm ready to take on their debt."
"Haha!" Sun Wo laughed. "Seriously? You're going to take on the debt of the whole team? You must be out of your mind!"
"This isn't a joke!" Ming You exclaimed, his voice sounding genuinely distressed. "I can't let you do this to them. I'm ready to pay for them, but give them their freedom!"
The gangsters exchanged glances, pretending not to believe their ears. Taek Jung, still laughing at such audacity and shamelessness, said:
"Do you really think you can pay off the debts? Especially the team's debts?"
"Yes," Ming You replied, raising his hands to calm them. "I'm saying this from the heart. I don't want them to suffer because of me. I'm ready to take on their debt! And pay off my double!"
"And how do you plan to do that?" Taek Jung asked, his interest piqued.
"I… I just can't leave them in such a situation," Ming You said, trying to appear convincing. "I can work for you until I pay it off. Give them a chance!"
The gangsters started laughing even louder. One of them even patted Ming You on the back.
"You're a funny guy, Ming You!" he said, laughing. "But maybe you're right. We can leave them alone if you take on their debt."
"What!? " Hong Ren shouted, not understanding what was happening. "Ming You, you shouldn't do this!"
"Shut up!" Ming You said, looking at his teammates. "I won't let you become slaves. That's not what I want!"
The gangsters exchanged glances and finally nodded.
"Alright," Taek Jung said, his voice becoming more serious. "We'll let your team go. But remember, you now owe $60,000. And if you don't pay, we'll be back." Taek Jung and the others turned and left, no longer hiding their smiles and laughter at this theatrical performance.
Ming You nodded, hiding a smile. He knew his plan had worked. The Yoshido team was under his complete control, and he was not only debt-free but had also made a profit. He could certainly pay off his team's debt, but he had more ambitious plans at the moment.
"Thank you!" Lu Shen shouted, not believing that the gangsters had actually let them go. "We don't know how to thank you!"
"Yes, you're a real hero!" added Haru Lin, tears welling in his eyes. "We thought all was lost."
"You're truly a leader," Jung Ho admired.
"Don't mention it, guys," Ming You said, trying to appear humble. "I just did what I had to do. We're a team, and we need to support each other."
"But now you have double debt," Hong Ren noted, his voice sounding sympathetic. "That's not easy. You shouldn't have risked so much for us."
"I know," Ming You replied, his heart swelling with pride. "But I'll manage. The important thing is that you're free."
The team, unaware of his true intentions, began to sympathize with him. They thought Ming You had found himself in a tough situation, but in reality, he had won at their expense.
"We'll be there for you," Lu Shen said, hugging Ming You. "We're a team, and we'll get through this together!"
Ming You smiled, knowing that his plan had worked perfectly. He left his teammates in the dark, enjoying his victory, and now his plan had brought him not only freedom but also the double debt of the Yoshido team. In this ruthless world of sports, he had become the master of the game, and no one could change that.