Jiang Long was furious.
He could not understand it. He had treated Wu Li so well, coming to see him every quarter and recommending him whenever there was an opportunity. Yet at such a critical moment, Wu Li actually wanted to stab him in the back?
Jiang Long stormed onto the court and shouted, "Do you look like someone who's unwell?"
Wu Li said nothing.
He was quiet by nature. It had already been rare for him to say so much just now. As for Jiang Long's words, he did not want to argue.
But Jiang Long forcibly snatched the table tennis ball from the referee, stuffed it into Wu Li's hand, and ordered, "Serve. Compete properly for me, and don't pull any tricks."
Wu Li said nothing and did not serve. He simply stood there without moving.
By now, even the dullest person could tell that something was wrong. Excitement appeared on many of the players' faces as they waited to enjoy the spectacle.
Jiang Long was starting to panic. Instinctively, he felt that he should not keep talking.
The more he spoke, the more flustered and enraged he would seem. The more he spoke, the more he would look like he was throwing a helpless tantrum, destroying his authoritative image completely.
As though asking for help, he looked toward Luo Zhihong.
Luo Zhihong had no choice but to clear his throat and step forward. "What exactly is going on with you, Wu Li?"
"I don't want to play Wang Chao." Wu Li finally spoke, simple and direct. "Every time, I only play him after he's run out of strength. What's the point of winning like that?"
Luo Zhihong froze for a moment.
In his impression, Wu Li was not the indecisive type.
The Wu Li of the past never cared about circumstances. Whether you were unwell or on your period, as long as you stepped up to the table, he would play you to death—swift and ruthless, like a tyrant.
Yet today, he was actually considering Wang Chao's competitive condition?
Luo Zhihong understood immediately.
Since Wu Li had joined the team, Wang Chao was probably the only person who had truly awakened Wu Li's desire to fight.
That was why Wu Li wanted to have a fair and proper match with Wang Chao.
He valued the outcome of this match greatly.
After a moment of silence, Luo Zhihong asked again, "Then what do you want?"
Wu Li had clearly thought it over already. Without hesitation, he said, "Either I forfeit, or we play tomorrow. Either way, I'm not playing today."
Luo Zhihong looked at Jiang Long.
Jiang Long's face was red with anger, but he could do nothing about it. Gritting his teeth, he said, "Fine. Then we fight again tomorrow!"
Wu Li was still not done. "Tomorrow afternoon, at this same time."
Jiang Long forcefully exhaled, his expression somewhat fierce. "As you wish."
The cafeteria was especially lively today. The players chattered so loudly it was almost deafening.
After all, the base had not only a men's team, but also a women's team. The male and female players usually did not interact much, but with something this major happening on the men's side today, how could the women's team have heard nothing at all?
Thus, the cafeteria became the perfect place for the female players to ask the male players for gossip. And these boys, with their excessively vigorous hormones, finally had a perfectly legitimate chance to chat with girls.
No one came to bother Wang Chao, however, because He Jingping was sitting at the same table as him.
"Play well tomorrow. Win or lose, at least show some style."
Once you got to know He Jingping, he was not cold at all. Instead, he was rather talkative. He went on and on beside Wang Chao, habitually laying out tactics. "It would be best if you can get the right to serve first. The first ball is crucial, after all, and your serve is quite good. I think your first serve could directly try a Sneak Long Serve, targeting the small backhand angle. That's one of his relatively weak areas. And that kid Wu Li—I observed him carefully for a while—has a habit of going for an aggressive attack on the first ball..."
He went on by himself for several minutes before suddenly stopping. With a self-mocking smile, he said, "Oh, I'm not even your coach now. Why am I making pre-match arrangements? I'm really meddling where I shouldn't."
Wang Chao found it amusing. "When you coached Luo Jiu back then, were your pre-match plans this detailed too? Did you even decide his first serve for him?"
He Jingping did not answer. He stood up and patted Wang Chao on the shoulder. "Do your best. I'll be there tomorrow to watch that match."
With that, he clasped his hands behind his back and left first.
Wang Chao lowered his head and continued eating. As he ate, he suddenly sensed that something was off. There seemed to be a faint buzzing around him, like people were egging something on. He abruptly looked up and saw someone taking the chair across from him.
It was actually Wu Li.
Wu Li had always been solitary, coming and going alone and barely speaking. Everyone was used to him eating in silence and leaving in silence. But today, after finishing his meal, he did not head for the exit. Instead, he walked straight toward Wang Chao and even sat down across from him.
In doing so, he inadvertently drew everyone's attention.
That was why Wang Chao had heard that buzzing.
"Hello. Is something the matter?" Wang Chao took the initiative to smile at him, appearing very friendly.
He knew Wu Li was not the sort of immature teenager who came looking for an opponent just to talk tough when he had nothing better to do. If he had come to find him, there had to be a real reason.
Wu Li did not smile. Looking at Wang Chao very seriously, he said, "You must play seriously tomorrow."
Wang Chao was somewhat confused and tilted his head.
"Please, give it everything you have!" Wu Li's tone became more formal. "Wang Chao, you may not realize this, but I've watched all your videos. I know that wasn't your true strength last time. Tomorrow, I want to defeat you fairly and squarely, not win dishonorably like last time."
Wang Chao understood.
But that only made him more confused.
"Do you care that much about defeating me fairly and squarely?"
Wang Chao could not help asking, "As far as I know, you're not the emotional type."
Wu Li pursed his lips and did not speak immediately. Yet a trace of deeply concealed unwillingness appeared on his usually dull face, along with a hint of defiance.
He knew everyone was trying hard to eavesdrop from afar, so he lowered his voice even further. "Do you know? Actually, I envy you..."
Wang Chao was even more puzzled and waited for Wu Li to continue.
"You've only been here for half a month, yet you've already gained Coach He Jingping's attention... But I've been here for more than two years. I defeated every opponent in this base, yet he has never once taken the initiative to say a single word to me."
Wu Li gritted his teeth. "I want him to see that I'm stronger than you!"
Wang Chao did not know whether to laugh or cry.
This was truly a possibility he had never considered.
No wonder Wu Li had behaved so out of character today, even willing to offend the coach to postpone the match until tomorrow.
It seemed that even Wu Li, who was like a fighting machine, still had an emotional side...
Wu Li was extremely serious. He stood up, solemnly bent slightly toward Wang Chao, and nodded in greeting, just like national team players facing their opponents at an international tournament.
"Wang Chao, please do your utmost to defeat me!"
That sounded so embarrassingly edgy...
Wang Chao mocked inwardly, but a smile appeared on his face.
It was a somewhat strange smile, different from the usual smile he wore.
It was the smile of someone who had made an important decision... a relieved smile.
He stood as well and bent toward Wu Li with a nod. Perhaps because making his decision had cleared his mind, a bit of mischief suddenly arose in him. He said to Wu Li, "Fine. Since you've sincerely and earnestly begged me, I'll graciously agree."
Wu Li was a little bewildered.
But Wang Chao continued.
"Tomorrow, before everyone, I will fairly and squarely grant you defeat."
"I'll let you know that Coach He Jingping did not misjudge me. I am stronger than you."
"Much stronger!"
Thanks to "Fish Stinky Tofu" for the reward, and to "Black Charcoal Powder" and "Bad Guest Emperor" for the monthly tickets. Also, the new cover looks so good—how can anyone say it's ugly?
Before you continue