Zhang Fan's words caused a slight pause in the air. The mention of dropping out of school was quite a gamble.
"Haha, kid, you're arrogant. Then I suggest you handle your withdrawal procedures early, or I'll beat you up every time I see you." Liu Yufei was slightly taken aback, not expecting anyone to be more arrogant than him. He laughed in anger.
"En, then I also suggest you quit the school team early, or else every time I see you touch a basketball, I'll beat you up." Zhang Fan agreed.
Watching the two trade barbs without mercy, Zhuo Tairan became anxious. Zhang Fan was indeed strong, but playing basketball wasn't just about brute force. If it were, all the weightlifting champions would have pursued basketball as a side hustle.
"Are you out of your mind? This guy is a professional power forward. Do you think you're Superman, capable of preventing him from scoring a single point?" Zhuo Tairan thought Zhang Fan had gone mad.
Ling Yanxue, standing beside them, was also surprised. While she didn't pay much attention to basketball, she knew of Liu Yufei's fame in the school, especially since he was one of her suitors.
Ling Yanxue felt a bit worried, but seeing Zhang Fan's calm demeanor, and recalling his terrifying skills at the 'Jinbi Huihuang KTV' previously, she gradually relaxed. No matter what, she believed Zhang Fan would not be the one to suffer in their confrontation.
The commotion here had already attracted the attention of many on the sports field. With Ling Yanxue, the tall beauty, present, wherever she appeared, she easily became the center of attention. The conversation between the two immediately became the topic of discussion among the crowd on the court.
"That kid actually dared to say he'd hold Liu Yufei to zero points? Haha, he's too young."
"Liu Yufei? You mean the strongest power forward on the school basketball team?"
"Isn't it him? I heard he averaged 31 points in the recent youth basketball game in the northern district of Donghai City, ranking second on the school team."
"That brutal? Looks like there'll be a good show later."
"This kid is in for it. Not many can withstand Liu Yufei when he gets angry. If he gets fired up, breaking an arm or leg wouldn't be surprising."
Hearing their words, the surrounding people began to whisper amongst themselves. Even Lin Zihao rushed over when he saw the situation.
"Classmate Zhang Fan, why be so hard on yourself? Even if you want to drop out, you don't need such a lame excuse." Lin Zihao walked over and pretended to sigh.
"Call me Big Brother." Zhang Fan raised his eyes and said indifferently.
Lin Zihao was instantly choked, silent for a long time. Under the strange gazes of the many people around, he slowly squeezed out two words: "Big Brother."
"Zihao, what's going on?" Liu Zeyu, who was nearby, was confused. Why would Lin Zihao call that seemingly weak person Big Brother?
"Never mind, it's a dark past." Lin Zihao, with a tearful face, pulled Liu Yufei aside, feeling helpless. Who told him he lost the bet?
"Let me remind you, that kid's strength is immense. Just in terms of strength, our five guys can't hold him back." Lin Zihao warned.
"Five guys can't hold him back? I think those five guys are just too weak. With his skinny arms and legs, I could take him down with one hand." Liu Zeyu glanced at Zhang Fan, clearly disbelieving and disdainful.
Lin Zihao had intended to warn him out of good will, but unexpectedly, he himself was dragged into it. He could only give up helplessly and said, "You'll know later."
Liu Yufei clearly didn't take Lin Zihao's words to heart. He returned to his side of the basketball court and told his teammates about his conversation with Zhang Fan, which made them burst into laughter. They all felt Zhang Fan was overestimating himself.
"Brother Yufei, I believe in you. You'll definitely win the MVP of this game today." A beautiful woman walked over, handed Liu Yufei a bottle of mineral water, and encouraged him.
She was wearing an off-the-shoulder red plaid shirt, her attire slightly mature, but her looks were no less than Ling Yanxue's. The only thing she lacked compared to Ling Yanxue was height, but due to her well-proportioned figure, her charm was not diminished in the least. She was He Hui, the class beauty of Liu Yufei's class.
Her liking for Liu Yufei was an open secret. Although Liu Yufei secretly liked Ling Yanxue, he hadn't explicitly rejected He Hui, stringing her along. After all, having such a beautiful woman constantly pursue him was quite satisfying to his vanity.
"Don't worry, not only will I win the MVP, but I'll also make sure that kid doesn't score a single point!" Liu Yufei took the mineral water, twisted open the cap, and took a large gulp, confidently stating.
...
Not long after, the referee arrived, blew his whistle, signaling the two competing teams to prepare. The match was about to begin.
Lin Zihao, as the captain, gathered everyone, assigned tasks, and planned tactics.
The strategy was simple: have Zhang Fan guard the rebounds well, and pass him the ball after he got it. Zhang Fan nodded indifferently, thinking to himself, you'll have to be able to catch the ball later.
One minute later, the game began. All the players from both sides converged towards the center of the court, ready for the tip-off.
The cheerleading squads formed by the respective classes of the competing teams also began to shout, instantly igniting the atmosphere.
"Brother Zhang Fan, go for it." Zhao Qingqing cheered.
"Go Zhang Fan!" Ling Yanxue was not to be outdone.
"Classmate Zhang Fan, go!" Si Youyou, the enchanting beauty, appeared on the court at some point, standing beside Zhao Qingqing, cheering for Zhang Fan. The male classmates around them stared.
However, at this moment, the name 'Zhang Fan' caught the attention of many spectators and players on the court.
"Who exactly is this Zhang Fan? He actually has three stunning beauties cheering for him. Is he a new star on the court at our No. 7 Middle School?" A male classmate from another class, unaware of the situation, asked with confusion and intense jealousy.
"Yeah, I haven't heard of this person either. Who is so amazing?"
"What new star? This guy is just an arrogant fool. Before the game, he even boasted that he'd prevent Liu Yufei from scoring a single point throughout the game. Do you think he's crazy?"
"Holy crap, that bold? Which one is it?"
"Look, it's that listless, slovenly, and punchable-looking one."
"So it's him. He looks quite normal. Why would his classmates let him play?"
Before the game officially started, Zhang Fan had already attracted a lot of attention in this way. Amidst the cheers and shouts, as the referee tossed the ball, the game officially began!
The player from the opposing team contesting the tip-off was naturally Liu Yufei, who had come to Zhang Fan earlier to show off. He was the tallest among everyone on the court. As expected, he snatched the opening ball.
He landed with the ball and, not forgetting to cast a provocative glance at Zhang Fan, immediately dribbled the ball. With an unstoppable momentum, like a wild bull, he charged towards the basket defended by Zhang Fan's team. His speed and dribbling stability instantly ignited the enthusiasm of his team's cheerleaders.
"Liu Yufei!"
"Go for it!"
"Liu Yufei!"
"Go for it!"
...