Chapter 4 | The Wind on the Basketball Court

The October afternoon sun was bright.A large crowd had gathered on the playground.Today was the school's grade-level basketball tournament finals.Class 2 of Senior Three was playing against Class 5 of Senior Three.Zhou Yu was in Class 2.So even before the game started, the sidelines were already packed with people."I heard Zhou Yu is going to have a breakout game today.""His three-pointers are incredibly accurate.""Last year, their class almost won the championship."Lin Nian hadn't originally planned to come to the game.She was going to the library to do her exam papers.But when she reached the edge of the playground, her deskmate suddenly pulled her back."Lin Nian, come on, let's watch the basketball game!"Lin Nian hesitated."I still have problems to do..."Her deskmate smiled and said:"Just watch for a little while!""Besides, Zhou Yu is there too."Lin Nian paused for a moment.For some reason, she followed him.Warm-ups had already begun on the basketball court.Zhou Yu was wearing a white jersey.Number 7. Sunlight shone on his shoulders, glistening with sweat.He dribbled, shot, turned.His movements were fluid.A girl nearby whispered,"Zhou Yu is so handsome."Lin Nian stood at the back of the crowd.She rarely watched basketball.But she still watched him.The game started quickly.The referee tossed the ball up."Beep—"The whistle blew.Zhou Yu jumped and grabbed the ball.A cheer erupted from the crowd."Zhou Yu!!!"The game moved quickly.The ball was passed back and forth on the court.Zhou Yu dribbled past his opponent.A spin move.Then a layup.The basketball grazed the backboard and went in."Wow—!"A cheer erupted from the sidelines.Lin Nian unconsciously watched intently.It was the first time she realized...Zhou Yu's demeanor on the basketball court was completely different from his behavior in the library.In the library, he was somewhat listless.But on the court, he was like a whirlwind.Confident.Dazzling.The game entered the second half.The score was very close.Two minutes remained.The two sides were only one point apart.The tension on the sidelines was palpable."Stop the defense!""Don't let them shoot!"Zhou Yu received the pass.Two opponents immediately surrounded him.He dribbled backward.Suddenly, he changed direction.He dashed through the two opponents.Outside the three-point line.He stopped.He jumped.The basketball drew an arc in the air.For a moment, the entire playground seemed to fall silent."Swish—"The ball went in.Three-pointer.The entire arena erupted in cheers."Zhou Yu!!!""So handsome!!!"His teammates rushed over and hugged him.The referee blew the final whistle.The game ended.Class Two won.The crowd surged onto the court.Lin Nian was pushed forward a few steps.Zhou Yu happened to look up.He saw her in the crowd.Lin Nian saw him too.They looked at each other for a second.Zhou Yu suddenly smiled.He walked over.His forehead was still sweating."You came to watch the game?"Lin Nian was a little embarrassed."Yeah... I was passing by."Zhou Yu smiled."Passing by for two hours?"Lin Nian was stunned."How did you know?"Zhou Yu picked up his bottled water and took a sip."I saw you when I was shooting my third three-pointer."Lin Nian suddenly blushed.She hadn't expected him to notice.Zhou Yu looked at her.Suddenly, he asked,“How did I do?”Lin Nian thought for a moment.She said seriously,“Pretty good.”Zhou Yu smiled happily.“Really?”Lin Nian nodded.“Really.”Zhou Yu suddenly said,“Will you come to watch the next game?”Lin Nian was taken aback.“There's another game?”Zhou Yu thought for a moment.“No.”“But I can play for you again.”Lin Nian couldn't help but smile.At that moment.The evening breeze blew across the playground.The basketball hoop swayed gently.Lin Nian suddenly realized something.She seemed to be starting to look forward to seeing Zhou Yu every day at the library.She also started to look forward to seeing him on the playground.And Zhou Yu slowly realized.When he made a three-pointer.The person he most wanted to see.It seems like only she is there.