NABC Chapter 107
Chapter 107
Xin stood there, tears streaming down her face.
Zhao Lei stood on the court, looking at the basket, watching the ball bounce a few times on the ground and roll to the side.
He turned his head and looked at Lin Feng.
The kid stood outside the three-point line, bent over, hands on his knees, panting heavily. Sweat dripped from his chin, pooling on the concrete.
But he looked up at Zhao Lei.
His gaze remained as steady as ever.
Zhao Lei looked at him for a few seconds.
Then he laughed.
He walked over and extended his hand.
"You win."
Lin Feng was stunned for a moment.
He straightened up and looked at Zhao Lei's hand.
Then he reached out and grasped it.
Zhao Lei's hands were very hot, covered in sweat.
"Fourteen to thirteen," Zhao Lei said. "You won."
Lin Feng looked at him.
Zhao Lei said, "The rules are best two out of three. You won one game, I won one game, and you're leading by one point in the third game. Even though it's not over yet, I know I can't beat you."
He looked into Lin Feng's eyes.
"Three months," he said. "You really only trained for three months?"
Lin Feng nodded.
Zhao Lei remained silent for a few seconds.
Then he laughed.
"Okay, I admit it."
He released his grip, turned around, and picked up his ball.
He took two steps, then turned back.
"Kid," he said, "fight well. You're better than me."
Then he left.
Lin Feng stood on the field, watching his retreating figure.
Then he looked down at his hands.
I just shook Zhao Lei's hand, and my palm is still warm.
He turned around and looked out onto the stands.
Cheng Yuxin stood there, her face streaked with tears.
She saw him looking at her, and wanted to laugh, but tears were still falling, her expression a mixture of crying and laughing.
Lin Feng looked at her and smiled.
He picked up his ball and walked towards the stands.
I walked up to her.
"Sister Yuxin," he said, "I won."
Cheng Yuxin nodded, unable to speak.
She reached out to wipe her tears, but her hands were trembling violently.
Lin Feng looked at her.
Then he reached into his pocket, pulled out a crumpled tissue, and handed it over.
Cheng Yuxin took it and wiped her face.
She took a few deep breaths and was finally able to speak.
"You..." her voice was hoarse, "You played really well."
Lin Feng smiled.
He turned around and sat down in the stands.
Cheng Yuxin also sat down next to him.
The two sat side by side, looking at the empty stadium.
The sunlight shone on the concrete floor, on the basketball hoop, and on that old brown ball.
Cheng Yuxin turned her head and looked at him.
Sweat streamed down his forehead and cheeks. His white T-shirt was soaked through, clinging to his body and revealing the muscles in his shoulders and back. He was breathing heavily, his chest heaving.
She stared at it for a long time.
Then she spoke.
"Lin Feng".
Lin Feng turned his head.
Cheng Yuxin looked at him, her eyes still red.
"Thank you."
Lin Feng was stunned for a moment.
"What are you thanking me for?"
Cheng Yuxin said, "Thank you for beating him."
Lin Feng looked at her.
Cheng Yuxin lowered her head and looked at her hands.
"I know," she said, "you agreed because of me."
Lin Feng didn't speak.
Cheng Yuxin looked up at him.
The sunlight shone on his face, glistening with sweat that hadn't dried yet. His eyes were bright, and a slight smile played at the corners of his mouth.
A feeling welled up inside her—soft, sour, and swollen.
She reached out and took his hand.
Lin Feng was stunned for a moment.
Her hands were cold, and her fingertips trembled slightly.
He looked down at her hand holding his.
Then he looked up at her.
Cheng Yuxin blushed, her face turning red all the way to her ears.
But she didn't let go.
The two sat in the stands, holding hands, neither of them speaking.
A cool breeze was blowing.
The sunlight on the court moved slowly, from the basket backboard to the free throw line, to the three-point line, and to their feet.
Lin Feng looked down at their clasped hands.
His hands were big, her hands were small. His hands were warm, her hands were cold.
He suddenly remembered his past life.
In his previous life, for 43 years, no one had ever held his hand.
It's not that I don't want to hold it, it's that I can't.
He sat in his wheelchair, his hands hanging at his sides, unable to reach anyone.
Someone is now holding his hand.
He looked up at the basketball hoop in the distance.
Then he laughed.
"Sister Yuxin."
Cheng Yuxin turned her head.
"From now on," he said, "I'll play ball for you every day."
Cheng Yuxin was stunned for a moment.
Then she laughed.
That was the most beautiful smile Lin Feng had ever seen her have.