For a full three minutes, Nie Chuan’s eyes were on Reese and Sethston’s confrontation, but amidst their intertwining figures, Nie Chuan couldn’t find a way to pull himself back.
When the first quarter ended, DK clung to Azu, keeping the score gap at twelve points. Everyone returned to Coach Gordon, waiting for instructions. Carlo handed water to Ewin, whose fingers were still trembling.
“Why hesitate? Even if you miss, Heishan and I will grab the rebound,” Carlo said, gripping Ewin’s fingertips.
“You sure talk big,” Ewin sighed, pulling a wry smile.
“It might be a bit arrogant. Edgar and the boulder aren’t easy to deal with. But aiming for the perfect shot is good. In reality, there’s no perfection, not even Ben Robbins, known for his quick shots, can hit every time.” Carlo tilted his head, pressing his hand on the back of Ewin’s head.
Coach Gordon didn’t make major tactical adjustments, still emphasizing that everyone should play their style.
“I want you to enjoy this game. Enjoying doesn’t mean going with the flow. You’ve been led by Azu, largely because they took the initiative. But every second of the game should be in your hands, not tightly gripped by Azu. If Azu has you by the throat, I don’t believe you’ll find joy. Ewin, you’ve only scored six points this game; that’s not like you.”
Ewin gritted his teeth, knowing his own issues well.
But knowing is one thing; overcoming is another.
“Kid, there’s a cliff in front of you. You always want to avoid and hesitate, waiting for the best moment, but every avoidance and hesitation brings you closer to the edge. Either leap with determination, maybe reaching a broader place, or fall in the end.” Coach Gordon’s gaze was intense, making Ewin break into a cold sweat.
Ewin instinctively clenched his fingers, making Carlo’s fingers crack, but Carlo, though in pain, didn’t make a sound.
Reese sat beside Nie Chuan, saying nothing, just reaching out his hand.
Nie Chuan opened the water bottle and handed it to him. This was their understanding; even without words, they knew what the other wanted.
Reese tilted his head back, his throat moving, and Nie Chuan couldn’t help but speak.
“I feel like I can’t keep up with Sethston. Even though I know I can’t let him affect me anymore, I can’t control it. Reese, have you ever felt like this? Like no matter how hard you try, you’re in the opponent’s domain. Every time you think you’re about to break free, you find yourself still under Sethston’s control.”
“Of course I have.” Reese placed the water on the chair, turning to Nie Chuan with an open gaze. “The first practice game between DK and Azu. When I faced Sethston Lind.”
Nie Chuan was stunned. “You… you were also…”
“Yes, in just a twenty-minute game, I lost twenty-six points to Sethston.”
How was that possible?
Nie Chuan widened his eyes at Reese. But knowing Reese’s character, he wouldn’t comfort anyone. Yet Nie Chuan couldn’t imagine Reese being restrained.
“The harder I tried, the more I pushed myself to be faster, the more Sethston made me err. And my stamina drained quickly. Even though it was just a practice game, I couldn’t afford to lose.”
Nie Chuan knew Reese seemed cold but was very persistent. This persistence wasn’t about winning or losing but on another level.
“I couldn’t afford to lose because I knew if I couldn’t break free from Sethston’s control in this practice game, the next match might be the finals, and I’d waste time adapting to him. I couldn’t afford that. So I understand how you feel, constantly replaying that moment you can’t surpass. You doubt yourself, feel helpless.”
“And then?”
“Then… Connor kicked me. He said he hated arrogant people like me, lost in their world.”
“Connor?” Nie Chuan couldn’t imagine gentle Connor doing such a thing.
But seeing Reese now, evenly matched with Sethston, it was hard to imagine him ever being restrained. And since DK and Azu didn’t meet in last year’s finals, Reese’s encounters with Sethston were few, just a couple of practice games. How did he adjust?
“How did you erase Sethston’s shadow and find yourself?”
“I listened to Vangelis’s ‘Conquest of Paradise,'” Reese replied calmly, seemingly unconcerned about Nie Chuan’s current state.
“‘Conquest of Paradise’… Do you think you’re Alexander? So narcissistic,” Nie Chuan laughed.
Nie Chuan had heard that piece while watching “Alexander the Great,” and it was indeed stirring, with a clear rhythm.
“So, what’s your favorite music?” Reese asked back.
Nie Chuan shook his head. Even if he could say, he couldn’t find it now.
“What’s your favorite rhythm?” Reese asked again.
Nie Chuan glanced at Coach Gordon. At such a crucial moment, he wasn’t making comprehensive tactical arrangements but talking to Carlo and Heishan. He suddenly couldn’t read the coach.
“I… like your…”
Your breathing.
But now wasn’t the time to say such things.
Every quiet night, hearing the breathing behind him, Nie Chuan always felt like his thoughts were being pushed to the highest point by that breath.
As Nie Chuan half-opened his mouth, unsure how to finish, Reese suddenly pulled him close.
“Then listen to the sound you want to hear. This is the only thing I can do for you, Xiao Chuan.”
Nie Chuan swallowed, closing his eyes. Reese used one hand to cover Nie Chuan’s left ear, pressing his right ear against his chest, as if to block out all the world’s noise.
Reese’s breathing was rhythmic but not fast, like a distant wind blowing through canyon gaps, sweeping across deserts, raising dust, rushing towards an endless horizon, charging into the blazing sun.
Then Reese’s heartbeat became clearer, like the sound of a basketball bouncing.
“Nie Chuan seems really shaken by Sethston. Sigh…” Larvin showed a regretful expression.
“For any competitive sport, an athlete’s rhythm is crucial; it’s part of their skill. Facing a strong opponent, once caught in their rhythm, it’s hard to escape. So when facing equally strong opponents, we always hope to control the rhythm, keeping the opponent in our hands. Sethston not only affected Nie Chuan’s rhythm but also crushed his confidence. Compared to you and me, Nie Chuan is a newcomer to the NCAA, and reaching this level is almost genius.”
“Maybe the more talent he shows, the more expectations people have, and the more pressure he puts on himself.”
At this moment, Coach Gordon approached Nie Chuan, smiling: “I know Reese’s embrace feels safer than the court, and compared to Sethston, you’re like a child before an adult. But watching you come this far, I believe you have your judgment and determination. Whether you want to advance or retreat, I can’t replace you. Because DK doesn’t have a better point guard than you, even at your worst.”
Nie Chuan’s heart shook. He knew Coach Gordon sounded like he was scolding him but was actually telling him that he was the coach’s only choice.
“Half a minute left.” Coach Gordon turned and left.
Nie Chuan took a deep breath, took the warm-up basketball, and sat on the chair, rhythmically dribbling.
All the sounds around him seemed to drop from boiling to freezing, everything still except for the sound of the ball hitting the ground.
He closed his eyes, letting the sound of dribbling and his heartbeat merge, not too fast, not too slow.
He had always wanted to surpass Sethston, but what if he let him pass? He could still catch up.
“Do you think if Sethston passes me the first time, I can catch up?”
Nie Chuan suddenly asked.
“Of course,” Reese replied without hesitation.
“Then can I trap him in reverse?”
“Of course.”
“By the way… you like ‘Conquest of Paradise.’ Do you really think you can conquer even God’s realm?” Nie Chuan asked, amused.
“Alexander thought he could conquer the world, but the world conquered him. God’s realm is God’s; I only need to conquer yours.”
“Connor was right.” Nie Chuan stood, tossing the ball back to Reese. “You really are a narcissist.”
Reese stood, a faint smile on his lips.
“I really want someone to make Sethston show a face like he ate a fly,” Larvin crossed himself, as if praying to God.
The game was about to start, and everyone returned to the court.
Azu launched a fast attack, Sethston’s speed breaking through Ewin and Carlo’s defense. Just reaching the three-point line, he encountered Nie Chuan.
Everyone watched closely, wondering how Nie Chuan, who had been shaken by Sethston countless times in the last quarter, would respond.
