Chapter 14 (1/2)

Translator: EndlessFantasy Translation  Editor: EndlessFantasy Translation

Almost overnight, the Shu Guang players became celebrities. It was not a typical student’s life to be interviewed and featured in magazines. They were the focus of everybody’s attention wherever they went in school, and there were some who even asked for their autographs.

Being part a group who never held expectations of such bliss, it was natural to lose themselves a little―weren’t they just high-schoolers after all?

…

In the activity room, Liang Ke’s expression was unusually sullen.

“No training today, let’s have a meeting.”

Everybody in the room had no idea what their coach was up to.

“I’ve seen some problems recently with our team. Do you guys know what they are?

Every player looked at each other, not quite understanding what their coach was referring to.

“We’ve just won a game, but some of us are so over the moon, we’ve even forgotten our surnames. Is there a need to be this happy? If you guys behave like this now, what will it be like when you actually win the national championship? Die of happiness?

Someone laughed.

“I’m not joking here! I’m being serious right now!”

The laughter quickly faded.

“All of you are still young; there is still a long journey ahead. Always remember, never be arrogant in victory or be discouraged by failure.” Liang Ke pointed at the fixture list behind him. “Many of you don’t know who made this. Allow me to enlighten you. It was Su Fei, who drew it, kneeling on the floor for four and a half hours in one night! She made me keep this a secret but looking at the bunch of you, I’m not willing to let her efforts go to waste in the next match!”

Zhang Jun slid a look at Su Fei who was seated beside the coach, and discovered that she, too, could feel embarrassed.

“What’s this line Su Fei drew with a red marker? Have you guys thought about it? She wants us to keep winning and keep this line going. Are you willing to let the line stop here?”

Their heads lowered, none of the players made a sound.

After what felt like half a day, Liang Ke finally slowed down. “I’m not scolding all of you, just telling you what I felt needed to be said. It’s fine, you can go home now. Think about what I’ve just said. Dismissed!”

…

It did not feel good to be scolded. Sitting on the balcony, Zhang Jun gazed upon the dark blue sky of the night.

There was a cracking noise as the door to the next door balcony opened; Su Fei came out for a change of scenery after getting tired of sitting in front of books. She stretched lazily before she noticed Zhang Jun on his own veranda. He did not even bother to look at her despite her sudden appearance.

“What are you doing?” she asked.

“Counting stars.” Zhang Jun still did not turn to look at her.

Su Fei looked at the sky. It was gloomy and devoid of any starlight. “Still thinking about what coach said?”

“Nope.”

“Then, what’s on your mind?”

“I’m thinking, how long can that line be drawn?”

She turned towards him.

“How long do you think?”

“I dunno. Maybe very, very long.”

“Really?” she smiled.

Suddenly, Zhang Jun jumped up from his chair. Pointing at Su Fei with a face of complete seriousness, he declared, “You’ll see! The match this week, I will score three myself!”

“Another hat-trick?”

“No! It’s my birthday gift to you!” With that, he turned and went back inside his house.

Dumbfounded, Su Fei remained where she was. She remembered that the upcoming Saturday―the 20th of October ―was her birthday. She lifted her eyes to the night sky once more.

“Fei Fei, come on inside. It’s cold out there!” Her mother called from inside the house.

“Oh!” Su Fei turned and retreated into her house.

“What were you doing?”

“Counting stars.”

…