Chapter 81: The Grand Finale (Part One)

The next day, at Qingshui No.1 High School.

Early in the morning, Principal Zheng Zemin received an official message from the National High School Basketball League. It stated that 101 round-trip plane tickets had been prepared, and asked Principal Zheng to select 100 people from the school's teachers and students to accompany him to the Wukesong Arena in the capital, cheering for the Qingshui No.1 High School team competing in the finals.

Sitting in his office, Zheng Zemin thought for a moment before quickly finalizing the list of 100. First, each of the school's 60 classes would send one person. The classes with basketball team members would send two each, and the classes with starting players would send seven each. That made exactly 100. The division was clear, and Zheng Zemin left it to each class to decide who would go.

Soon, every homeroom teacher received the news. At first, they were startled, but quickly came to terms with it. After all, the previous incident involving Lin Nan's endorsement deal with Nike had set a precedent—nothing seemed impossible now. Many teachers knew that the better schools in the city had such outings every year, some even going abroad for exchanges. They simply hadn’t expected it to happen at their county-level high school.

Undeniably, the basketball team had brought glory to Qingshui No.1.

Just as schools differed, so too did classes. Ordinary classes would send one, classes with team members would send two, and those with starting players would send seven. When the homeroom teachers of these special classes received the quota, they glanced at the homeroom teachers of the experimental classes, whose faces were grim.

For the first time, the school did not put the experimental class first.

But there was little they could do—this time, academic performance was not the criterion. They could only remind their prodigies not to mind, insisting that this was just an activity and that studying remained paramount.

Yet, after hearing the news, the students of the experimental class pondered deeply. Since childhood, they’d been “the children other parents envied.” Whether they truly loved learning or not, they carried a quiet pride wherever they went. Each was proud of their grades, and their parents boasted of them in social circles.

Gradually, they accepted the belief that academics were everything, understanding their parents meant well, and that a good university promised a bright future. But during the “Spring Thunder Operation,” they suddenly realized that Lin Nan, the basketball star, had become a school celebrity through his talent. Even Nike had sought him for endorsement.

Now, Lin Nan had led Qingshui No.1 to the finals. Everyone who loved basketball nationwide knew the name of Qingshui No.1 High School—a staggering honor.

Even one of their top students, during winter break tutoring, was asked by his private teacher if he knew Lin Nan, and if he could get an autograph.

When he shared this with his classmates, they laughed, then fell silent.

Everyone reflected upon their own paths, considering which university and which major were best, what they liked, what each major entailed, what careers awaited, and whether they could make the cut—not just focusing on scores and problems as before.

So when the homeroom teacher announced the news, most of them showed little interest in going, though inside, they were eager to witness the national finals.

In the end, the teacher decided by drawing lots.

Had it been a common event, they might have declined, but this was the national finals—a moment of glory for Qingshui No.1. The experimental class deserved to witness it.

In contrast, the atmosphere in the classes with basketball players and starters was entirely different. Although the first-year students had not yet chosen arts or sciences, the homeroom teacher of Class Eight, Yu Xianglin, was elated—Lin Nan had truly brought him honor.

Thus, Class Eight was relaxed, and Yu encouraged the students to share their thoughts on the quota.

Soon, He Simin, the class life committee member and roommate of Si Dong, raised her hand: "Teacher, I think Si Dong deserves a spot, since she is Lin Nan’s desk mate. Her encouragement will help Lin Nan on the court."

Yu Xianglin glanced at the blushing Si Dong, smiled knowingly at the adolescent boys and girls, and said, "You’re right. Then Si Dong’s spot is confirmed. Does anyone object?"

The class agreed.

Since no one else spoke up, Yu decided to draw lots for the remaining six spots.

Some classes had teachers joining, while basketball-loving teachers from other schools even went to the starter classes to ask for spots.

Yu Xianglin, however, was not obsessed with basketball. Though he hadn't been to the capital, he decided to let all the spots go to the students. Besides, they were only in first year, with lighter study loads.

Moreover, participating in such a national event would mean more to them than a day’s knowledge in the classroom.

Once the list was settled, at two in the afternoon, Zheng Zemin led the hundred teachers and students to the school gate, boarding several buses.

A two-hour flight and another hour by road—they would arrive around six or seven in the evening, just in time for dinner at the official hotel and a night’s rest.

Many students from Qingshui No.1 had never flown, never visited the capital, nor stayed in such a luxurious hotel. Even before reaching the finals venue, their horizons had already expanded.

None of the basketball team members knew about the surprise the officials had prepared for them.

That day, they kept their training light, focusing on shooting and movement drills to maintain their touch and physical condition, preparing to face the finals as their strongest selves.

At night, before sleep, Lin Nan touched the red string bracelet on his left wrist, smiled, and drifted into dreams.

In the morning, after breakfast and digestion, they resumed light shooting and running drills. Only after lunch did they rest, waiting in the locker room.

Changing into their red jerseys, the Qingshui No.1 players began warming up after entering the arena.

The stands were packed, buzzing with conversation, so loud that they didn’t initially notice their own classmates and fellow students sitting nearby.

Lin Nan was the first to sense being watched—a strange, indescribable feeling.

He glanced around and immediately spotted Si Dong sitting in the student section on the upper right.

Si Dong, in turn, was watching him.

This time, Si Dong’s gaze didn’t shy away; she stared directly at him, as if offering silent encouragement.

After a few seconds, Lin Nan raised his left wrist, showing the red string bracelet.

Si Dong blushed.

Unaware spectators assumed Lin Nan was making his signature listening gesture, as he had before.

Lin Nan’s devoted fans erupted, filling the stadium with cheers.

Seated in the stands, Si Dong was startled, fearing the crowd had discovered their secret, and quickly lowered her head, eyes shut tight.

It was only after some time, when she dared to peek around, that she realized no one was watching her; everyone was simply cheering for Lin Nan.

Si Dong thought, "Has he become so charismatic already?"

On the court, Lin Nan refocused, warming up with determination. He was delighted that Si Dong had come, but the match was more important, especially since it was the first time she would watch him play live.

If he won, he could propose with the championship ring—provided he had one.

Once their exchange ended, the other Qingshui No.1 players noticed their classmates had arrived. The same was true for Yangcheng High School.

Everyone greeted their friends and classmates with shouts and smiles.

At the commentary table, Yang Yi spoke: "The officials have invited 100 students each from Qingshui No.1 and Yangcheng High School to cheer at the venue. Today's finals will surely be spectacular!"

"For their schools, for their regions, let’s cheer for both teams and look forward to an epic battle—a fight for honor!"

At his words, the arena erupted in applause and shouts.

Soon, CCTV5’s live broadcast cameras were in place, referees were ready, medical staff stood by, and both teams completed their warm-ups.

Amidst tens of thousands of spectators in the arena and millions watching on TV, the National High School Basketball League Grand Final officially began.

Not a best-of-seven, nor a best-of-three—just one match to decide it all.

The referee’s whistle blew, and the starting lineups took the court.

Qingshui No.1’s starters: Lin Nan, Zhao Zhongshi, Jiuwu, Luosi, Zhu Bo.

Yangcheng High School’s starters: Wang Shiying, Su Yuxiang, Yang Wendong, Wu Fan, Cai Kun.

Both sides fielded the same lineups as in the semifinals—their strongest formations.

Qingshui No.1’s jumper was Jiuwu; Yangcheng High School’s was Su Yuxiang.

Both were their teams’ centers, with similar heights.

Normally, the opening jump ball doesn’t much affect the outcome. But today, both schools had their own students present, so everyone wanted to seize the momentum from the start.

Standing at the center line, Jiuwu and Su Yuxiang stared intently at the referee’s basketball, ready to leap at any moment.

The referee, professional and impartial, tossed the ball straight up, perfectly vertical.

As the ball began to descend, both jumped simultaneously; Jiuwu seemed to react a fraction of a second faster, tapping the ball toward Lin Nan.

Lin Nan caught it and led the team forward, while Yangcheng High School quickly fell back on defense.

The first clash between Qingshui and Yangcheng began instantly!