Chapter Thirty-Eight: Grab Your Weapons, Raise Your Axes!

The main players of Tiancheng Institute of Technology, following the instructions of Manman Yu, gradually began to establish their own rhythm in the game. As expected, once they managed to lock down players number 5 and 10 from Olin School of Architecture, their opponents’ scoring pace slowed drastically.

Meanwhile, the starting lineup from Tiancheng Institute went on the offensive, pressing forward as a unit. Thanks to more than half a month of shooting drills, their shooting accuracy had improved significantly. By the end of the second quarter, Tiancheng Institute led with a score of 41 to 22.

After a fifteen-minute halftime break, the third quarter began. The main players of Tiancheng Institute maintained their momentum, their spirits soaring ever higher. Their touch grew more confident: Captain Meng Lang scored easily with a layup, adding two points; small forward Zhu Di executed a fadeaway jumper for another two; power forward Sun Peng charged into the paint, lofting the ball over three defenders for two more; point guard Zhou Xiaoshan and shooting guard Xu Gaofeng both switched to three-point mode, sinking back-to-back threes.

During this surge, their opponents only managed to score two two-point shots.

The scoreboard showed 53 to 26.

“We’re just three points away from completely blowing them out by thirty!” Substitute shooting guard He Zhikun shouted excitedly.

Geng Haoshi thought to himself: Ha, so it’s just as our beautiful coach predicted—ranked 637th in the National College Basketball League, the Olin School of Architecture team really is second-rate.

During the remainder of the third quarter, Tiancheng’s main players continued to dictate the pace. The third quarter ended with an overwhelming 72 to 31 lead.

“This is amazing!” Zhu Di, the starting small forward, leaned back in his seat, utterly at ease.

“Yeah, yeah!” The other starters all nodded in agreement. After all, this was the first time they had played so freely, utterly outclassing their opponents. Compared to losing so many games before, the current situation filled each starter’s heart with unbridled joy.

“Coach, we’re up by forty-one points now. Isn’t it time you let us substitutes have a turn on the court?” Seeing the starters basking in their victory, Geng Haoshi’s fighting spirit was also ignited.

Of course, Geng Haoshi’s eagerness to play was mainly because he wanted Goddess Mimi, who would be arriving later, to see his elegant form on the court.

Before the game, Yang Mimi had told Geng Haoshi that she had something to do and would come see his game a bit later.

During the first three quarters, Geng Haoshi had secretly hoped his goddess would be late; he didn’t want her to see him warming the bench and not playing at all.

Now, with a forty-one-point lead, if he got on the court in the fourth quarter, when his goddess arrived and saw such a huge lead, she would surely assume he had contributed greatly. At that moment, she would look at him in a new light—maybe even fall in love with him… Yes, she definitely would...

So now, this was the perfect opportunity to play. Geng Haoshi looked resolutely at Manman Yu. “Coach, please let us play!”

Hearing this, the other substitutes also mustered their courage and looked expectantly at Manman Yu.

“You all really want to play that badly?”

“Yes!” The substitutes all nodded, their faces full of anticipation.

“I can let you play,” Manman Yu said, her gaze sweeping over the substitutes, “but under one condition.”

“You must widen the lead even further… Otherwise, you’ll be in for a whipping.” Though her face wore a smile, the look in her eyes sent a cold shiver down their spines.

Widen the lead even further? That meant, with a current forty-one-point difference, they had to increase it! The substitutes swallowed nervously, hesitating.

“No problem, Coach. We guarantee we’ll get it done!” Geng Haoshi declared loudly.

He wasn’t thinking about anything else; the most important thing was that his goddess would see him on the court.

“Hey, don’t chicken out!” Geng Haoshi turned to the other substitutes. “We have a coach as beautiful as a fairy, noble and skilled with the whip, and starters who are indomitable warriors, fighting bloodily to turn the tide. With such a coach and such role models, doesn’t your fighting spirit burn?”

Though Geng Haoshi’s flattery was rather clumsy, the previously hesitant substitutes now showed renewed resolve.

“That’s right—well said, brother!” Substitute small forward Zhang Zhaolong agreed.

The other substitutes nodded as well.

The whistle for the fourth quarter blew.

“All right, brothers. It’s our turn!” Geng Haoshi shouted.

The substitutes followed him onto the court, brimming with energy.

At center court, Geng Haoshi glanced back at the substitutes. “Brothers, grab your weapons!”

Swish, swish, swish—the substitutes all pulled out wooden imitation axes from beneath their jerseys.

The Olin Architecture players were stunned. Axes?! Are these maniacs going to start chopping people after winning?!

The referee was flabbergasted too. Winning by so much isn’t enough—they want to break our arms and legs?

In fact, any quick-witted spectator would have guessed what was coming next: a rendition of the “Axe Gang Dance” from Stephen Chow’s film Kung Fu, led by Geng Haoshi. It was an entrance routine he had rehearsed several times with the substitutes to electrify the crowd.

Geng Haoshi was in the midst of his routine when—“You! Get back here this instant!” Manman Yu finally snapped out of her daze.

She hadn’t finished assigning which substitutes would play; the fourth quarter whistle had interrupted her, and when she saw Geng Haoshi leading the substitutes onto the court, she had been momentarily stunned. Just as she was about to call them back, seeing Geng Haoshi pull out the axe left her dumbstruck, resulting in this farcical scene.

Afterward, Geng Haoshi received a thorough scolding from Manman Yu and was ordered to squat on the sidelines and reflect on his behavior.

Aside from Geng Haoshi and substitute center Li Meng, who were benched, the other five substitutes took to the court.

Geng Haoshi, however, refused to give up hope of playing, occasionally pestering Manman Yu to let him back on.

The five substitutes didn’t disappoint—the score climbed to 86 to 41.

Suddenly, Geng Haoshi caught a faint, delicate fragrance… Turning around, he saw Yang Mimi walking toward him!

No, I’ve got to get on the court! Geng Haoshi pleaded with Manman Yu again: “Coach, please let me play, just for a little while… Just a bit.”

Manman Yu glanced at the time. “All right.”

“Substitution!”

Geng Haoshi stepped onto the court… Finally! I’m in the game at last!