Yonghe Road

Chapter 73 Gemini
The extra game was a tough battle, but fortunately, because they won the previous game, the players of the local White Tea Team regained their confidence. Considering that this was a crucial game that would determine the outcome, the head coach did not dare to easily snatch the coaching qualification from Luo Chuxiu. He could only lead a few of his confidants and sit listlessly on the lounge chair, watching Luo Chuxiu start to plan a new round of tactics.

The lights of the stadium shone on Luo Chuxiu. The small man had the aura of a general. He kept making gestures with one hand in coordination with his own words. Around him, the four players from Baile Village and three foreign players were all listening attentively to his instructions.

Luo Chuxiu quickly selected the players for the game, this time substituting the "all-around warrior" and "inside dominant player" with Wang Zian, Zhong Ziqi, and Shao Feng, with Zhong Ziqi starting. The opposing team also took a gamble, fielding three foreign players. Luo Chuxiu quickly adjusted their strategy, returning the "scoring machine" and substituting for Shao Feng. As the two teams' foreign players surrounded and confronted each other, the tacit cooperation between Wang Zian and Zhong Ziqi became the focal point of the game.

Wang Zian, with his excellent ball-handling ability, nimbly weaved through the opponent's defense, skillfully passing the ball time and again. Zhong Ziqi, on the other hand, precisely positioned himself inside for the ball, and after receiving Wang Zian's pass, he decisively shot the ball, which traced a graceful arc through the air and landed steadily in the basket.

The foreign players of the opposing team discovered the strength of Wang Zian and Zhong Ziqi and tried to double-team them to stop them, but the three foreign players, "scoring machine", "inside overlord" and "all-around king", did not give them any chance at all, so Wang Zian and Zhong Ziqi were always able to understand and find gaps.

As the two players shot one ball after another into the basket, the scores between the two White Tea teams gradually widened.

As the whistle sounded and time expired, the audience cheered and the joy of the home victory filled the entire basketball court.

Players on both sides of the court embraced excitedly or shook hands politely. On the sidelines, the head coach and his closest aides instinctively applauded. Regardless, they were a team, and to be able to reach the championship night was a victory for the team.

On the rostrum, leaders and the audience applauded. President Ji Tong leaned over and whispered in Director Mei Wending's ear, "The Twin Stars of Baile Village."

Director Mei Wending turned his gaze towards the court, where Wang Zian and Zhong Ziqi were hugging, shaking hands and greeting the players of the Northern Fujian White Tea Team.

These two guys performed well tonight. Director Mei Wending's lips curled up unconsciously.

Next up is preparation for Championship Night.

The head coach did not insist on seizing the coaching rights, and Luo Chuxiu successfully coached the championship night.

What no one expected was that the championship battle was much easier than the semi-finals. The Gongfu Black Tea team, also from eastern Fujian, did not perform as well as in the semi-finals. The young player who was highly recognized by the audience after the live video broadcast was tightly sandwiched by three foreign players including the "scoring machine" due to the height difference, and the other players in the team performed poorly. The overall level of their team was not as good as that of the players of the local white tea team.

Throughout the championship night, men, women, young and old from all over the city got tickets through various means and packed into the stadium with a capacity of 10,000 people. Tens of thousands of people from all over the country also watched the live broadcast of the game, but it turned out to be a solo show of Wang Zian and Zhong Ziqi.

Zhong Ziqi dominated the first game and Wang Zian dominated the second game.

During this period, Luo Chuxiu also let the three foreign players rest together, and let the head coach's five trusted players play for a while.

The championship night was much easier than the semi-finals, and the continuous goals scored by the local Baicha team made the host audience feel a little excited.

The champion is decided once and for all.

Amidst the roaring cheers, Wang Zian and Zhong Ziqi exchanged a smile. In the days leading up to Championship Night, their team had faced several temptations, including offers that guaranteed them victory or the other team's loss. Fortunately, they had declined all of them. While they were the hosts and desperately wanted to win, the people of Baile Village could also afford to lose.

If their strength is not worthy of praise, being ridiculed, resented and scolded is also a responsibility that the people of Baile Village can bear.

Fortunately, luck was on their side in the end and they were summoned by their strength.

After the finals, there will be an awards ceremony.

Most teams had already returned home, leaving only the quarterfinals for the ceremony. The resilient Northern Fujian White Tea team had won the third-place trophy. Perhaps if their semifinal match against the Gongfu Black Tea team had been against them, they might have also made it to championship night. But sometimes, luck is everything.

The awards ceremony was packed with distinguished guests and brightly lit. The hosts took turns passionately announcing the winners, and the audience, after enduring one entertaining performance after another, finally arrived at the exciting moment: the local white tea team took the stage to receive their awards.

Two coaches led twelve players and marched onto the stage in a vigorous and high-spirited manner. The whole audience was boiling with applause.

There was also an award ceremony for the best players, and the winners were Wang Zian and Zhong Ziqi.

Both of them were very surprised. At the urging of the host and the applause of the audience, they went on stage hand in hand.

Director Mei Wending and President Ji Tong both presented awards to the two.

"The Twin Stars of Baile Village!"

Amid the lively and festive music, Wang Zian and Zhong Ziqi still heard the titles given to them by the two.

The awards ceremony concluded, and the crowd slowly streamed out of the stadium. The inky night sky of the city quietly spread out beneath their feet. Streetlights cast a soft glow, and the streets were sparsely populated. The occasional honking of horns gently pierced the night's silence. Wang Zian and Zhong Ziqi stood side by side at the stadium entrance, immersed in the afterglow of the awards ceremony, savoring the glory that belonged to them.

At that moment, a bright figure in the square caught their attention. It was Xie Anmin, holding a vibrant bouquet of flowers. She approached them with fervent enthusiasm. Zhong Ziqi immediately rushed forward, picked up Xie Anmin, and spun her around. Their laughter was sincere and warm in the night.

Wang Zian stood alone in the distance, feeling a little lonely. Fortunately, a group of fans soon gathered around him. They were all attracted by Wang Zian's handsome performance and basketball skills in the game, and asked for his autograph. Wang Zian smiled and agreed one by one, but someone took the opportunity to ask for his WeChat, and he ruthlessly refused.

When Zhong Ziqi came over slowly with the flowers sent by Xie Anmin in his hands and Xie Anmin holding his arm, the fans left Wang Zian and ran over, pushing Xie Anmin so hard that he staggered and bounced away from Zhong Ziqi.

Looking at Zhong Ziqi who was surrounded by fans and busy signing autographs, Xie Anmin curled his lips and turned around to see Wang Zian looking at him with dissatisfaction.

"Can't you send an extra bouquet of flowers?" Wang Zian asked unhappily.