The Stepmother's Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era-Chapter 810 - 809: Zhao Yun Substitutes In

Ren Jingshu insisted on getting out of the car, so Si Weijian had to pull the minibus, branded with the cabaret’s logo, over to the side.

After getting off, Jingshu headed straight into a decently ranked hotel.

The other girls on the bus, seeing this, started gossiping among themselves, "It’s so late, and she’s not going back to the dorm but to a hotel; could it be a secret rendezvous?"

"Have you heard about her having a partner?"

"Then she must be kept by some rich man, no wonder she’s so arrogant usually, she must have found herself a backer."

Although the girls kept their voices low, the bus was so small that Si Weijian found it hard not to overhear.

"I’m telling you girls, less talk if there’s no proof; you’re all girls too, don’t you know how important reputation is?"

"Going to a hotel means meeting a man; then who would dare to enter a hotel in the future, might as well close all the hotels and inns!"

Chastised by Si Weijian, the girls fell silent.

Inside the hotel room.

After a quick wash, Jingshu looked at the clock on the wall, turned on the television, and switched to the sports channel.

It was the end of October, and this year’s NBA regular season had already commenced.

Tonight’s game was between the Seal Team and the Rockets Team, marking the Seal Team’s first match in this year’s NBA regular season.

That was the real reason Jingshu chose not to go back to the dormitory and stayed in a hotel instead.

Even though Zhao Yun was just a substitute player for the Seal Team, he might not play tonight, but she still held a glimmer of hope.

At eleven ten, the game between the Seal Team and the Rockets Team officially began.

As a new substitute signed by the Seal Team this year, Zhao Yun received less than three seconds of camera introduction.

Watching the boy on the screen, who had matured notably but appeared nervous and uneasy in front of the camera, Jingshu couldn’t help but light up with joy.

"Zhao Yun, you can do it."

The Seal Team was playing by the book, exchanging blows with their opponents, with both sides keeping a tight score.

The game moved swiftly into the last quarter of the second half.

With the scores tied, both the Seal Team and the Rockets Team brought on a substitute player.

Less than three minutes into the final quarter, a substitute player from the Seal Team was tripped and injured by an opponent, pausing the game.

The injured player was quickly carried off by the medical team.

Through the camera, one could see the Seal Club’s head coach Harris and senior management engaging in a heated and serious discussion.

"Jerry, this is too risky. If we lose today’s debut, not only will the entire club face immense pressure, but Bayer will also bear endless blame and vitriol. What you’re doing might ruin him."

Harris stood with his left hand on his hip and repeatedly rubbed his hair with his right hand, evidently feeling uneasy and frustrated by Jerry’s decision.

Jerry wrapped his left arm across his chest and stroked his chin with his right hand, his deep blue eyes sparkling with excitement.

"My gut tells me, he will surprise me."

"Alright then."

Feeling resigned, Harris shrugged and turned back to the players’ lounge.

"Bayer, you’re up."

As Harris’s words fell, the entire team’s eyes turned simultaneously to Zhao Yun.

There were expressions of disbelief, shock, and some gleefully waiting to see a spectacle.

Zhao Yun, equally stunned, pointed at himself, "Me?"

"Yes, you. It’s Jerry’s decision. Go on, give it your best!"

As the coach, Harris was well aware of the immense challenge it would be for a rookie who had never played in the NBA before.

Not making a mistake would be considered a very good performance indeed.

"Remember, as long as you don’t let your opponent score, you are a hero,"

Faced with Harris’s advice, Zhao Yun instinctively nodded his head, his mind, however, was blank.

He had imagined this moment thousands of times, fantasizing about performing exceptionally on the court and making the world remember his name.

But standing on the court he had longed for, he realized it was not as easy as he had imagined.

Dazed, nervous, uneasy, confused, and irritable, a myriad of emotions wove into a large net, trapping him, unable to breathe.

Seeing Zhao Yun being sent on the field, Pei Ziheng frowned slightly.

Although the camera wasn’t very clear, it was clear enough to see Zhao Yun’s expression.

Clearly, Zhao Yun panicked.

Whistle—

The match began with the sound of the whistle.

Less than a minute into the game, Zhao Yun made a fatal mistake, passing the ball to the opponent, allowing them to score two points.

The Seal Team’s fans cursed and wished they could jump onto the court and tear Zhao Yun limb from limb.

Harris couldn’t help but complain to Jerry, "I told you he couldn’t handle it, and now, tonight is bound to become a joke."

Jerry’s forehead furrowed, obviously also dissatisfied with Zhao Yun’s mistake.

"F*ck you! What are you doing?!"

Zhao Yun was violently pushed to the ground by Seal Team’s main player, Ma Long.

Although other teammates tried to pull Ma Long away, their looks directed at Zhao Yun were equally filled with anger and hostility.

At this moment, the Rockets Team player who received Zhao Yun’s pass and scored approached Zhao Yun, smiling and mockingly said, "Thank you!"

This was like adding fuel to the fire.

The eyes of the entire Seal Team bore hatred toward Zhao Yun as if he were their enemy.

Zhao Yun felt as if he had become a criminal to the whole world.

He felt very wronged and wanted to cry.

If only Pei Ziheng were here.

Thinking of Pei Ziheng, the words Pei Ziheng had said popped into his head: This is just your starting point, your future holds endless possibilities.

With that thought in mind, his body seemed to fill with energy and courage.

He got up from the ground, dusted himself off, and loudly told his teammates, "The ball is already lost, berating me is useless. Instead of wasting time, think about how we should cooperate to take back the points."

After that, he turned and returned to his position.

The game continued.

After making a mistake, Zhao Yun gradually calmed down, not only slowly regaining his form but also increasingly coordinating with his teammates.

Shortly after, Seal Team’s Oni scored a three-pointer, not only evening the score but also taking the lead by one point over the Rockets Team.

Fans of the Seal Team in the stands cheered and waved with enthusiasm.

But their joy lasted less than a minute before the Rockets Team’s forward dunked the ball, catching up with the score.

The teams chased one another tightly, the score remaining at a nail-biting one-point difference.

The game’s final seconds approached, with thirty seconds left.

The Rockets Team led the Seal Team by one point, but the basketball was now in the Seal Team’s shooting area.

If the Seal Team could make a successful shot within thirty seconds, they would win the match.

On the court, players from both teams engaged in a fierce chase and struggle, while fans in the stands also zealously cheered for their respective teams.

To stop the Seal Team from scoring in the last dozen seconds, the Rockets Team’s players, almost insanely, blocked Oni, Payton, and Ma Long, the main forces.

And Zhao Yun, who had given the opponents a point as soon as he came on, was clearly not taken seriously by the Rockets Team, finding himself unguarded.