Daily Life in the Countryside After Being Reborn-Chapter 294 - 57: When Heavenly Thunder Meets Earthly Fire (Part 2)

Upon arriving at Xiu Shui Square, Xiao Xian heaved a sigh of relief; most of the competitors gathered there were dressed in casual clothes just like her, a clear indication that street basketball differed from official games—it was all about being easygoing.

The organizers from Cnai Company had set up several temporary basketball hoops around the square. Although temporary, their specifications and heights were nearly identical to standard baskets. In each of the square’s four corners, deafening R&B music thundered, warming up everyone’s ears before the official competition commenced.

"Xiao Xian, you’re here. Haven’t seen you for half a month, have you missed me? I’ve even dreamed of playing ball with you,"
Qu Yang was quite noticeable among the few hundred contestants. Perhaps to please the event’s hosts from Cnai, the guy was decked out head to toe in Knei gear, with a black bandana with a hook wrapped around his head, a wrist guard on his arm, a white T-shirt, baggy ski pants, and a smile that showcased his pearly whites.

If Qu Yang could understand the real meaning behind Xiao Xian’s glances, he would surely be spitting blood—it screamed "flashy."

Mao Yi, on the other hand, was much more conventionally dressed—a blue short-sleeved shirt with black sports shorts, similar to his regular school team practice outfit.

"Zeng Yang, take off the headband. It’s hard to recognize you with it. We’ll have problems if you pass to the wrong person," Mao Yi started teasing. With the competition relying on actual skill, there was no room for unnecessary frills. When he had first arrived, he hadn’t even recognized his old buddy Qu Yang. A mistaken pass later could lead to trouble.

"Little Mao, it’s the New Year, can’t you be a little more tolerant?" Qu Yang cast a pitiful glance at Mao Yi and took off the bandana, "Seriously, I overslept and didn’t have time to fix my hair this morning. Now it’s all messed up after taking it off."

"Be serious. I just checked it out, and the overall strength of this competition is quite strong. Not to mention several of our rivals from the high school league have formed teams to come here, but there are also players from universities," Unlike Qu Yang, who had started eyeing up the girls around the square right away, Mao Yi had spent the past fifteen minutes scouting out the overall strength of the competition. Aside from a few new faces, most of the players were familiar ones from the city.

"What’s there to fear? With us, the Holy Heart Three Musketeers here, wherever we go, we’re there to win," Qu Yang was boasting when a sycophantic greeting interrupted from behind.

"Isn’t that Senior Brother Mao and Senior Brother Zeng? What a coincidence," Wang Ke arrived in a flashy bright red attire, followed by two tall and clueless-looking guys. When she spoke, she showed more whites than the pupils of her eyes, and completely ignored Xiao Xian as if she were thin air.

"Wang Ke? You signed up too?" Mao Yi shot a glance at Qu Yang, who was supposed to deal with Wang Ke, yet here she was—this kid just couldn’t make things easy.

With a cheeky grin, Qu Yang appeared to casually size up the two male contestants behind Wang Ke, one of them looking somewhat familiar, probably the unknown Most Valuable Player from when both Mao Yi and himself had been absent. The other was a giant he didn’t recognize.

"Such a big competition, how could I not participate," In truth, even without Qu Yang’s invitation, drawn by the promotional efforts and scale of the Knei Cup, Wang Ke would have joined. Of course, if she could flirt with a handsome guy during the competition, that would be even better.

"See you in the game then," Mao Yi led Xiao Xian and Qu Yang away to get to grips with the rules of the competition.

After watching the three walk away, Wang Ke scoffed. Of course, they wouldn’t recognize her new teammate; she’d specifically brought in a substitute player from the CBA professional league. Although a substitute, the guy still had professional experience and should be a cut above the high school basketball level. Wang Ke couldn’t wait for the competition to begin, eager to encounter the Holy Heart Three Musketeers.

What Three Musketeers; in the presence of Wang Ke, they’d be beaten decisively.

The organizer, seeing the crowd had mostly arrived, began to announce the competition rules and detailed prize incentives.

Wang Ke deliberately chose a spot not far from Xiao Xian and her company, stealing glances at them when she could. That damn rookie, surrounded by two handsome guys from Sacred Heart Middle School, ignited a fire of jealousy in her. She should have been the one to enjoy that privilege.

The rules of the competition were as follows:

1) Each team consists of 3 players, and it’s important to note an additional substitute player can be provided for rotation. The list of active players must be decided five minutes before the start of the match, with no more changes allowed mid-game.

2) The competition uses a best-of-five-sets format. The preliminary round will eliminate 50% of the teams from the more than one hundred participating to move on to tomorrow’s ABCD group matches.

3) A standard game lasts for 5 minutes, with a 2-minute overtime if there is a tie.

4) During the competition, all players must obey the referee’s rulings; objections can be submitted to the chief referee for review.

5) It is forbidden to physically attack or verbally abuse any other participant during the game.

6) Teams that draw a bye in the lottery will advance directly.

7) Cnai Company reserves the right to the final interpretation of this competition.

The announcements about the Beijing District finals prizes immediately caused an uproar:

Champion: 10,000 RMB in cash + three tickets to the NBA Conference Finals

Runner-up: 6,000 RMB + three sets of Knei sportswear

Third-place: 3,000 RMB + three pairs of Knei sports shoes

The square was abuzz; the champions would actually get tickets to the NBA playoffs. Although few participants would actually travel abroad to watch the game, those tickets alone were a hot commodity among scalpers, their worth far more tempting than the 10,000 RMB cash prize.

"NBA, here we come," Qu Yang rubbed his hands with eagerness, crumpling the headband into a ball.

Who wouldn’t want to win the championship? Xiao Xian shook her head with a smile; that ticket was quite tempting for her as well. After all, her uncle’s greatest wish was to watch an NBA game in the United States.

At that moment, a figure standing amidst the bustling crowd, unnervingly calm, caught Xiao Xian’s gaze.

**

Thank you "Ning Zhihai" for the fan tickets. Nearly fifty. Ah, seems like the previous two books combined didn’t garner fifty fan tickets. I’ll rise up, and later on notify everyone about the updates during the National Day holiday, thanks again for everyone’s support this month.

**(To be continued. If you like this work, you are welcome to come to Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation tickets and monthly tickets. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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