Chapter Fifty-Three: Money Matters

Geng Haoshi sighed and said, “A team ranked ninety-second in the National College Basketball League really isn’t much, just as our beautiful coach Yu Manman once said.” He looked at the players from Feiling Aviation Academy, speaking earnestly, “You’re all so tall—there must be some basketball talent in you, though of course, you’re still far from my level.”

The opposing players glanced at each other in confusion.

Geng Haoshi continued, “But don’t be discouraged. Whether you’re busy or not, you should train as much as possible. Only then, perhaps, will you one day be able to keep up with me, or even come close to my achievements.”

The Feiling players were drenched in sweat: There’s still a whole quarter left, and he’s already showing off… Wait a minute… Damn! He hasn’t even scored a single basket—what’s he bragging about?

Even Zhu Di, standing nearby, could hardly bear to listen. He put an arm around Geng Haoshi’s shoulder and whispered, “Little Two, they were already losing heart, but now you’re provoking them and might just reignite their fighting spirit…”

Before Zhu Di could finish, Geng Haoshi waved his hand dismissively. “That’s just as well. Otherwise, what’s the point of playing against a team that’s lost its will?”

The two-minute break quickly passed… The fourth quarter began.

Feiling Aviation Academy sent out the same five main players. In general, university teams’ substitute players are much weaker than the starters; only a handful of universities boast strong benches. Although Feiling Aviation made it into the national top hundred last year, their ninety-second place finish was nothing compared to the top ten teams.

So, despite trailing in the game, Feiling Aviation kept their starters on the court.

Though their fighting spirit had been somewhat revived by Geng Haoshi’s arrogance, the Feiling players were still unable to overcome their physical exhaustion.

At this point, Tiancheng Institute of Technology had only three main players left on the court. Their stamina was depleted as well, but the two substitutes—Geng Haoshi and Chen Yu—were still relatively energetic.

With Tiancheng’s 2-1-2 zone defense, Feiling Aviation, lacking three-point shooters, still couldn’t find good scoring opportunities inside. Meanwhile, under the fast breaks orchestrated by substitute point guard Chen Yu, Tiancheng scored almost every time they attacked. The gap between the two teams’ scores continued to widen.

With only one minute left, Feiling Aviation trailed by thirty points.

At this moment, besides exhaustion, there was a deep confusion on the faces of Feiling Aviation’s players. They simply couldn’t understand how a ninety-second ranked team could be so thoroughly defeated by a team that had always been at the bottom of the national rankings.

Then, Geng Haoshi made a jump shot… and the ball finally went in!

The stands erupted into thunderous cheers! Even though this was Geng Haoshi’s first successful shot after missing twelve times in a row, his fan club in the audience was more enthusiastic than ever, as if his previous failures didn’t matter at all.

Feiling Aviation’s players rolled their eyes: The guy finally scored after so many attempts—what on earth are you cheering for?

Yu Manman rolled her eyes too: Is this what they call true fans?

The final buzzer sounded.

Tiancheng Institute of Technology triumphed over Feiling Aviation Academy with a score of 93 to 61, winning by a margin of 32 points.

Adding to their previous game against Huayu School of Design, Tiancheng finished the autumn ten-school basketball tournament with a total point differential of 78.

Tonight, after the game between Huayu School of Design and Feiling Aviation, the champion and runner-up would be determined by comparing the point differentials of the three teams.

By this stage, it was almost certain that Tiancheng Institute of Technology would be crowned champions.

“Haha, the championship is ours for sure!” Zhu Di returned to the bench, brimming with excitement, alongside his teammates.

“Coach, we did it!” Captain Meng Lang looked at Yu Manman with emotion, his voice even breaking slightly.

After all, these had been the most satisfying games they’d played in three years—and a streak of victories at that! As captain, it was only natural that he felt moved.

But Yu Manman, seeing her captain about to tear up like a little girl, snapped angrily, “What are you choking up for, huh? Isn’t it embarrassing? Can you even call yourself captain?”

With Yu Manman’s devilish bark, the effect was instant—Meng Lang, startled, did not dare make another sound.

Meanwhile, Geng Haoshi’s concern was elsewhere: “Beautiful coach, when will we receive our prize money?”

Whenever Geng Haoshi spoke, he often left everyone speechless.

Seeing Yu Manman staring blankly without answering, Geng Haoshi continued, “If we’re champions, that means a total prize of twenty thousand yuan. With twelve players, that’s 1,666 yuan each.”

Watching Yu Manman roll her eyes, Geng Haoshi hastily added, “Coach, you probably don’t need the money, right? You wouldn’t want a share of the prize, would you?”

Good grief! Geng Haoshi actually thought Yu Manman was rolling her eyes because he’d left her out of the prize distribution.

With a sharp crack, Yu Manman brought her ever-present leather whip down hard on the floor in front of Geng Haoshi.

“You little rascal! Are you obsessed with money or what?”

Startled by the sudden noise, Geng Haoshi timidly replied, “Beautiful coach, you don’t know what it’s like to be hungry.”

“My monthly living expenses are almost gone. Without this prize money, I might not make it to next month.”

“So, this money is really important to me!”

“Of course, if you’d be willing to take me in…”

“Get lost!” Yu Manman glared at him, but seeing Geng Haoshi’s pitiful, half-starved look, she relented, “Don’t worry—the prize money will be distributed tomorrow, and you’ll get your share right away.”

If Geng Haoshi were still the same shut-in as before, five or six hundred yuan a month would have sufficed. But lately, thanks to all the intense exercise, his appetite had grown enormously.

The heavy training had brought his weight down from 251 pounds to 139, leaving him little fat to burn, and with daily workouts only increasing, he needed even more food than before.

Hearing Yu Manman’s promise, Geng Haoshi finally breathed a sigh of relief. He thought to himself: Once I get the money, I’ll finally be able to eat properly… And I’ll take Goddess Mimi out for a big meal, to clear up that misunderstanding.

While Geng Haoshi was happily plotting how to spend his prize money, he didn’t notice Li Shishi quietly approaching him…