Doubt Life

Chapter 9: Doubting Life

Sun Hao looked at his opponent, then turned his head to see Raul's expression, and more or less guessed what was going on.

Actually, from the attitude Raul had shown since boarding the plane, he could already sense it somewhat.

But this was also perfectly normal.

It was like when a company does recruitment—you feel like a very special presence during the interview.

When the interviewer wants to hire you, they give you plenty of confidence.

You're the one-in-a-million, unique, irreplaceable candidate.

But once you actually join the company, you realize you're just an ordinary employee.

"Asian, remember my name, Fidel Velazquez. It will be your nightmare!"

Velazquez raised his voice when he saw Sun Hao's attention wasn't on him.

Sun Hao couldn't help but laugh when he heard that.

A fourteen- or fifteen-year-old kid, right at that chuunibyou age.

Normally, he should have shot back with something like: No, quite the opposite.

But he was honestly already past that age.

Seeing Sun Hao just laugh without replying, Velazquez snorted coldly.

He would make sure Sun Hao couldn't laugh anymore!

Several one-on-one matchups were happening simultaneously across the half-courts, and Raul's attention was also on Sun Hao and Velazquez.

Velazquez was a young Spanish player, and one of the best at that—this was also a good chance to evaluate his ability.

According to his prediction, this would most likely be a one-sided matchup.

One-on-one, five baskets. Sun Hao won the rock-paper-scissors and took the first attack.

Velazquez passed the ball to Sun Hao, dropped his center of gravity a meter away, and spread his hands wide in a defensive stance.

After noticing Raul's gaze on him, his eyes were filled with fighting spirit—this was his perfect opportunity to earn the head coach's trust at the training camp!

But the moment he looked back, he saw Sun Hao shoot directly from beyond the three-point line.

Fast and decisive.

Straight to a three?

A flicker of surprise crossed his eyes.

The farther from the basket, the lower the shooting percentage—that was basketball gospel!

He didn't expect Sun Hao to ignore that right from the start.

Was he betting on luck because he knew he couldn't drive in?

Sure enough, Asians were all soft.

His surprised look turned into contempt as he turned his head to watch.

"Swish!"

A crisp sound. Sun Hao's first three-point attempt went in!

1 to 0.

Velazquez was stunned for a moment before snapping back to reality.

Lucky shot from Sun Hao.

He passed the ball back to Sun Hao, then spread his hands wide without making any defensive move at all.

The meaning was obvious: Go ahead and sink another one if you can.

The provocation was clear for all to see.

Raul frowned slightly at this. Velazquez was underestimating his opponent.

Sun Hao's three-point shooting was decent—that much had been shown in that high school final game.

Sure enough, Sun Hao caught the ball and shot again immediately.

Over the past four years of hard training in the system, the main focus of his shooting practice had been long-range shots.

With Velazquez standing that far back, there was no defensive threat at all—it was no different from training in the system.

"Swish!"

Another crisp sound.

Sun Hao's three-pointer went in again.

2 to 0!

This time, Velazquez's expression began to change.

He realized Sun Hao was a shooter.

He actually made the mistake of letting a shooter take an open shot right in front of him!

"You won't get that chance again."

Velazquez was still dripping with chuunibyou energy, and this time after passing the ball he immediately pressed up tight on defense.

Compared to showing off, he now needed to win this one-on-one in front of Raul more.

Sun Hao still used a three-point shooting motion.

Velazquez lunged forward, but didn't expect Sun Hao to pump fake!

Sun Hao gathered the ball and suddenly accelerated to the right for a drive, Velazquez lunged at nothing and could only turn his head to watch Sun Hao lay it in.

3-0!

Clean, crisp, one smooth motion.

Sun Hao's skill was far above Velazquez's; he didn't even need to go all out.

"Impossible, again!"

Velazquez refused to believe he couldn't defend Sun Hao, and after getting the ball he passed it straight back to him.

Sun Hao caught it, saw Velazquez still lunging aggressively, and pump-faked again, but this time he crossed over and drove left.

Inside the system, the intensity of dribbling and shooting training was the same.

He had outstanding shooting ability, and naturally he also had no small amount of ball-handling skill.

Though not yet top-tier, it was more than enough for the youth team.

Drives like this came easily to him.

Velazquez couldn't read Sun Hao's offensive moves at all, and just lunged hard, but couldn't stop himself and ended up eating dirt.

Sun Hao scored another easy layup.

4-0.

Raul's eyes widened at this point.

He had been watching, and now he realized something.

Maybe because of the gap in opponent strength, Sun Hao's playstyle here was Completely Different from in China.

In that high school final, Sun Hao mostly shot threes, plus scored on fast breaks after steals and blocks.

But here, Sun Hao's combination of drives and shots was very mature, and more importantly, his rhythm was excellent!

That was a sign of naturally high Basketball IQ!

Setting aside other abilities, Sun Hao was an absolute genius in terms of basketball IQ!

This was something he hadn't seen before.

Or rather, he had underestimated Sun Hao, the last pick he had grabbed just to fill the roster.

Scola was starting to doubt his own existence, and on the final possession he passed to Sun Hao.

Sun Hao watched, saw that Velazquez didn't lunge this time, and took another three-point shot.

Shooting depends on feel, but also on mindset. Sun Hao was overflowing with confidence right now, and his touch was scorching hot.

"Swish!"

The ball Swished Through the Net under Velazquez's despairing gaze.

5-0!

Game. Over!

Raul's judgment was correct; Sun Hao and Velazquez were indeed one-sided.

Only... the direction was completely opposite to what he had predicted!

Sun Hao, utterly defeated Velazquez!

The training gym's half-court was limited, not everyone was doing one-on-ones; they went in order.

Players were waiting at every half-court, and some were watching.

Sun Hao and Velazquez's match ended early, drawing the attention of many players.

The louder they had laughed at Sun Hao before, the more their faces stung now.

Sun Hao's earlier question about skipping levels wasn't overestimating himself—he really had that ability!

Velazquez looked at the changing expressions of the surrounding teammates and felt like he wanted to bury his head in the ground.

Because he hadn't just laughed before; he had directly mocked Sun Hao to his face!

Other people's faces just stung—his were swollen!

"One more round! I'll attack first!"

He shouted at Sun Hao.

He wasn't satisfied.

He wasn't convinced!

He had to salvage his dignity!

One more round?

Sun Hao glanced at Velazquez, then shook his head very directly.

Do you really think I'm a kid?

I'm not obligated to play another round with you!

Sun Hao turned and walked straight off the court, leaving Velazquez, who was about to lose his mind, standing alone in the wind, utterly bewildered.

"Come on, next group."

After stepping off, he even doubled as a staff member.

Velazquez: ...

"One more round, Velazquez attacks first."

Just then, Raul, who had been watching from the sidelines, walked over.

Sun Hao glanced at Raul, but this time he couldn't tell what Raul's intentions were.

Still, since the head coach had spoken, he couldn't disobey.

But he didn't rush onto the court either. Instead, unhurriedly, he picked up his thermos and took a sip of goji berry tea.

A bit hot.

He blew on it, then took another sip.

Then a third sip.

Raul was taken aback.

Velazquez on the court was already itching to challenge Sun Hao to a one-on-one duel.

Just as Raul was about to speak up, Sun Hao put down his thermos.

"Velazquez is a left-handed player; his left-side drive is very fast."

Just then, Sun Hao heard someone warn him.

He turned his head and saw it was the same eleven- or twelve-year-old boy who had locked eyes with him earlier, the one who had given him a shy, kind smile.

"Thanks."

He was a very polite person.

And looking at the boy up close, he seemed vaguely familiar.

But he couldn't quite place who he was.

Sun Hao stepped back onto the court, and the second round of the match began immediately.

This time, Velazquez attacked first.

After passing the ball to Velazquez, Sun Hao didn't immediately lower his center of gravity. Instead, he closed in to about half a meter away and assumed a defensive stance.

One hand raised, the other extended horizontally—guarding against both the shot and the drive.

In his past life, he had been a basketball trainer, so he naturally knew defense well. Coupled with the unlocked Basketball Badge, his details were flawless, even if his overall ability wasn't.

And Raul's request had made up his mind: this time, he was going to go all out!

Thank you to Reader 20180927000531690, Vulgar, Carefree Endless Period, Single Dog qaq, Your Happy Sorrow, and Undying Eternal Immortal for the tips~ Muah~

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