Both teams’ players were already practicing actively on the court. On the side where Ye Chenfeng and Chu Qingxue were, it happened to be the players from the Venerable Basketball Club.
The audience over there was in frenzy, especially the female fans who kept shouting, "Kong Zhe, I love you," and similar slogans.
Kong Zhe, who was dribbling near the three-point line, felt like he was floating. He kept shooting threes, making five in a row, pushing the cheering to a climax.
Kong Zhe was also in high spirits and was about to show off to the female fans on the sidelines when he noticed Ye Chenfeng, who was standing up closest to him, loudly calling out to him, "Kong Zhe, Kong Zhe, you’re the best, Kong Zhe, Kong Zhe, you’re the most handsome."
Immediately, Kong Zhe’s face turned gloomy, and he wilted entirely. His face gradually turned beet red as he wished he could find a hole to crawl into, not to mention play well anymore.
For Ye Chenfeng to come and watch the game was a naked insult to him.
"Ye Chenfeng, can you be quiet?" Chu Qingxue rolled her eyes at him.
"Okay, I was just excited to see Kong Zhe. Look at how accurate his threes are. Tonight’s championship is ours!" Ye Chenfeng replied with a smile.
Kong Zhe, not far away, heard these words clearly, and his fists subconsciously clenched, making cracking sounds.
The game started soon after. Ye Chenfeng noticed several familiar faces seated: Jiang Tian and his son, Chu Xiuen and his son, Dong Shi Guo and his son, and even Mayor Su had come.
As soon as the game started, Kong Zhe led the team in a relentless offense, smoothly executing three-point screens, pick-and-roll cuts, and fast break steals. But the Golden Dragon Basketball Team was no slouch either. They also had two strong foreign players, keeping the score within five points.
Finally, with a whistle, the first half ended. The Venerable Basketball Team led 61 to 57 over the Golden Dragon Basketball Team.
During halftime, Ye Chenfeng noticed Chu Xuanyu and Dong Zheng from the opposite side leaving one after another, looking uncertain.
"Director Chu, you wait here, I need to use the restroom!" Ye Chenfeng said.
Ye Chenfeng left the stands and went to the outer area. After gulping down a glass of water, he saw Chu Xuanyu and Dong Zheng nearby.
He tossed the glass away and followed them.
The two walked quickly from the east entrance of the stadium to the west entrance.
Then they turned into a shop selling sports merchandise. Ye Chenfeng even saw someone in a hoodie with the hood up also enter the shop.
Although he couldn’t see the face clearly, Ye Chenfeng immediately recognized it was Kong Zhe.
Players were supposed to stay in the locker room during halftime, so Kong Zhe was clearly breaking the rules.
Moreover, Chu Xuanyu and Dong Zheng were there as well, which was suspicious! Ye Chenfeng’s eyes flickered; he had a hunch about what was going on.
Ye Chenfeng returned to his seat, and Chu Xuanyu shot him a provocative look from across the way.
The second half began. Kong Zhe controlled the tempo without much intensity. The teams went back and forth, and the score remained close. But in the fourth quarter, the Venerable Basketball Club made frequent mistakes, giving the other team many counter-attack opportunities. With Kong Zhe missing four or five consecutive three-point shots, the opposing team caught up.
"Kong Zhe missed a wide-open three? No one was within three meters of him!"
"Holy crap, that wasn’t even close! What’s wrong with Kong Zhe?"
"This game has gotta be fixed! Kong Zhe must have been bought off!"
"Pfft, you’re the one who’s been bought off. Our idol Kong Zhe is just having an off day!"
The crowd on the sidelines was buzzing with speculation, most of them doubting Kong Zhe.
Chu Qingxue frowned and her eyes flickered as if she were contemplating something.
"Xue’xue, that punk Kong Zhe is definitely throwing the game. Should I go in?" Ye Chenfeng asked.
Chu Qingxue shook her head, "You can’t go in, you’re not part of the basketball team. Going in without evidence won’t work. Just leave it be!" She seemed to have a plan in mind.
"Alright," Ye Chenfeng let go of the idea.
The game continued, and the Golden Dragon Basketball Team went on a 16-0 run, rendering the Venerable Basketball Team breathless.
Soon the score reached 100 to 85! But there were only three minutes left!
At this point, Kong Zhe led a furious counterattack, but the other team played tough. Despite a small scoring run, they kept the gap within ten points, and it couldn’t be closed.
"The Golden Dragon Basketball Team has pulled off an upset, beating the Venerable Basketball Team to win this year’s league championship!"
The score remained until the game ended, and the Venerable Basketball Team lost.
"Qingxue, sorry about that. We barely beat you by seven points. Don’t lose heart, there’s always next year. Maybe if you let Assistant Ye play, you could win the championship!" Jiang Qi approached Chu Qingxue with a smug look.
"Really? If I’d known that, I’d have let Ye Chenfeng play!" Chu Qingxue’s mouth curved into a sarcastic smile.
She was mocking Jiang Qi’s ignorance: if Ye Chenfeng had played, he definitely would have won the championship!
"Haha, Director Chu, you’re such a joker!" Jiang Qi laughed.
"Laugh, my ass! Can’t you see Xue’xue is annoyed? Get lost, or I’ll throw you out myself!" Ye Chenfeng stepped forward, pointing arrogantly at Jiang Qi’s nose.
Jiang Qi trembled with anger, but he knew it was wise not to confront him now. He glared at Ye Chenfeng a few times and prepared to leave.
"Hey, did I say you could leave?" Ye Chenfeng spoke up.
"Ye Chenfeng, what do you mean by this?" Jiang Qi turned around, glaring coldly at Ye Chenfeng.
Ye Chenfeng looked at him, "Did you just glare at me?"
"Ye Chenfeng, don’t push your luck!" Jiang Qi roared.
"What if I do? What are you gonna do?" Ye Chenfeng advanced with the momentum of Mount Tai, grabbing Jiang Qi by the collar and lifting him off the ground.
"Ye...Ye Chenfeng...I advise you to let go, or else..." Jiang Qi’s face turned red, gasping for breath.
"Ye Chenfeng, don’t make trouble! Let go!" Chu Qingxue said coldly.
Ye Chenfeng let go abruptly, and Jiang Qi fell to the ground with a thud, feeling like he was half-dead.
Ye Chenfeng, you just wait. Tomorrow, everything will be mine: Chu Qingxue will be mine, and so will your life! Jiang Qi entertained murderous thoughts.
It was an unforgettable day for Chu Qingxue, the most arduous day as well, as she faced the biggest crisis in history.
Chu Corporation, President’s Office.
"Director Chu, something terrible has happened! There’s unfavorable news about you all over the internet, Weibo, and forums! It’s already trending at the top!"