HCILH Ch. 58

Chapter 58: Finals (Part 2)

A sudden gust of wind, like a spear thrust upwards, parted the clouds.

Sunlight poured through the gaps, shining through the circular opening above the court and illuminating the field.

Under the sunlight, the four players seemed as if their shadows were dancing with their every move.

Sui Houyu’s serve game was still ongoing.

This time, they opted for an aggressive I-formation.

At the beginning of a doubles match, it usually becomes a contest between one team’s baseline player and the other team’s net player. Whichever side controls the game early depends entirely on their form.

In men’s doubles, where serves are of such high quality, breaking serve becomes extremely difficult.

Nevertheless, Jiang Wei and Lu Qinghui were still trying. For instance, this time, they returned a high lob with precision, sending it toward a sharp corner that seemed impossible to retrieve.

Unexpectedly, Sui Houyu, agile like a cat, lunged forward with his body low to the ground, diving with his racket extended.

With a flick of his racket, he sent the seemingly lost ball back over the net.

After the shot, Sui Houyu planted his heels to brake himself to an abrupt stop. Turning his head to follow the ball, he sprinted once more, pivoting quickly and smoothly.

In just a few moments, Sui Houyu reached the net.

The ball arched over his head, but without glancing back, he crouched low at the net.

There was no need to look—he trusted that Hou Mo would intercept the shot. His task now was to crouch low enough to avoid obstructing Hou Mo’s play. That way, no matter which angle Hou Mo chose, the ball could clear the net.

Doubles matches require an exceptionally high level of cooperation. Often, players aren’t just playing for their own points but working hard to create scoring opportunities for their partners.

It demands self-sacrifice—

Use him to achieve victory.

This was the reason Hou Mo lost consecutively in doubles matches before. At that time, he wasn’t willing to make such sacrifices.

Now, Hou Mo was willing to assist Sui Houyu, and Sui Houyu was equally ready to support Hou Mo.

Sui Houyu watched the ball soar past his head and land in a spot neither Jiang Wei nor Lu Qinghui could reach.

Point secured.

He exhaled in relief and turned to meet Hou Mo’s gaze.

Hou Mo raised his eyebrows at him: “Come on, praise your dad.”

“Get lost.”

“Hehe.” Hou Mo grinned, genuinely delighted despite being cursed at.

Lu Qinghui glanced at their opponents and then smiled at Jiang Wei: “They’re really good!”

But Sui Houyu wasn’t the only one who thrived under pressure. Lu Qinghui, seeing the opponents’ impressive performance, felt just as exhilarated, his fighting spirit ignited.

Jiang Wei kept his eyes on their rivals and casually responded: “Yeah, but don’t let your guard down.”

Lu Qinghui rotated his shoulders and returned to his position.

As Sui Houyu watched the other side prepare to serve, he studied their faces carefully before taking his stance again.

Jiang Wei and Lu Qinghui looked alike, and with both wearing baseball caps, Sui Houyu had trouble telling them apart.

Partners who play doubles long enough often start resembling each other, much like couples do.

The so-called husband-and-wife look arises from years of shared meals, identical routines, and synchronized lifestyles, gradually imprinting similar characteristics on them.

Jiang Wei and Lu Qinghui had been doubles partners since their amateur sports school days. They grew up together, competing side by side for years. With similar height, build, and skin tone, they truly looked alike, making it hard for Sui Houyu to tell them apart.

The first serve missed.

Sui Houyu pulled another ball from his pocket and saw Hou Mo signaling him from behind. He served again.

The night before, Hou Mo had drawn diagrams outlining their serve-and-shift tactics. This time, following Hou Mo’s lead, Sui Houyu served to the inner corner.

As the ball crossed the net, both Sui Houyu and Hou Mo moved simultaneously—one to the left front and the other to the right backcourt.

From the centerline, their synchronized movement spread like the wings of an eagle unfolding in flight.

Sui Houyu moved to the net and intercepted a straight shot from the opponent.

He seized the moment, attempting a passing shot across the court.

Naturally, Jiang Wei wouldn’t let that slide. Trying to hit a passing shot in front of them was sheer folly—it was ruthlessly returned.

Jiang Wei had impeccable timing.

Skilled doubles players can quickly assess their opponents’ movements, aiming shots toward those who’ve shifted or aren’t in peak form. They exploit gaps or aim precisely where the opponents can’t cover.

Jiang Wei was a master of this.

Despite his towering height, his volleys were remarkably controlled and precise.

Spotting an opportunity, his volley sent the ball to a spot where neither Sui Houyu nor Hou Mo could reach.

Point for Dongti Affiliated High School.

Hou Mo noticed Sui Houyu frown slightly and immediately reassured him: “It’s fine, Brother Yu. Keep going.”

“Mm.” Sui Houyu quickly composed himself and returned to his serving position.

Hou Mo walked over to him, covering his mouth as he whispered: “Try to stretch the angles as much as possible and increase the speed—that’s how we break the stalemate.”

Sui Houyu nodded: “Got it.”

The new serve began in their I-formation again.

Following Hou Mo’s signals, Sui Houyu served wide to the outside corner and moved to the left.

Meanwhile, Hou Mo rushed to the right front to intercept, anticipating Jiang Wei’s lob. He swiftly retreated with small steps, perfectly timing a high-pressure ball.

Lu Qinghui volleyed from the net, returning the shot.

Hou Mo was ready, engaging in a rapid exchange of quick volleys with Lu Qinghui.

Close-range exchanges require lightning-fast reflexes and speed. Hou Mo relied on his prediction skills, slowly retreating while adjusting his racket angle. He executed a brilliant passing shot.

With Sui Houyu’s serves gaining speed and Hou Mo’s smashes becoming sharper, the match’s tempo accelerated. The opposing team struggled to keep up, and Hou Mo secured the point.

Though Hou Mo was primarily known for his singles prowess, in one-on-one matches, neither Jiang Wei nor Lu Qinghui could hold a candle to him. In these intense rallies, where teamwork mattered less, Hou Mo’s dominance was overwhelming.

Sui Houyu’s service game was held.

Hou Mo exhaled in relief.

Holding serve is crucial, especially in the first game. Losing the opening serve game can be a significant psychological blow.

Though Sui Houyu wouldn’t feel pressured and would only fight harder, that didn’t mean he wouldn’t get frustrated. If his emotions spiraled out of control, even he wouldn’t be able to reign in his temper—something that could severely disadvantage them.

That’s why Hou Mo gave it his all in this game—to keep Sui Houyu’s emotions stable.

However, once Jiang Wei’s service game began, both Sui Houyu and Hou Mo felt the pressure shift.

Jiang Wei’s serves were top-tier, and his team’s ball control was exceptional. When Jiang Wei served, the game’s rhythm fell entirely under their control.

Despite Hou Mo’s efforts to break serve with various tactics, they couldn’t do it. Jiang Wei won the game effortlessly with four consecutive points.

Taking a ball from the ball boy, Sui Houyu inspected it and heard Hou Mo’s reassuring words: “It’s okay. We just need to stay steady.”

“What are you nervous about?” Sui Houyu asked as he pocketed a ball.

“I’m not nervous!”

“Hmm, you’re not nervous about the match, but it seems like you’re nervous about me?” Sui Houyu stood at the baseline, looking at his feet before lifting his gaze to Hou Mo. “You’re treating me like I’m fragile.”

“Don’t you hate losing?” Hou Mo asked.

“Yeah, I don’t like losing, but it’s not like I can’t handle it.” Sui Houyu replied with a calm, open smile. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to lose my temper and pick a fight. I’m much better now—I won’t have an episode so easily.”

Hou Mo studied him with a deep gaze before finally relaxing. “Alright, I was worrying too much.”

After taking a few steps away, Hou Mo heard Sui Houyu teasing, “Come on, Dad, do your best.”

Hou Mo almost tripped on thin air. Squatting at the net, his shoulders shook with laughter.

He suddenly realized that he was the one more nervous. Instead of calming Sui Houyu, it was the other way around.

He had indeed worried too much.

In the stands.

Liu Mo and Yang Hong also came to watch the match from the audience, deliberately sitting near Deng Yiheng and his group so they could chat easily.

With just a glance, they could spot Tang Yao’s group not far away.

Tang Yao’s group wasn’t trying to sit so close; it was just that the shaded, prime seats with good feng shui were limited.

Looking at the court, Liu Mo suddenly felt a bit uneasy and muttered: “Is Hou Mo looking down on me or what? He’s playing this hard without saving any energy for the afternoon!”

Sang Xian laughed after hearing that: “Why aren’t you happy? Maybe you’ll finally get a chance to beat him.”

Liu Mo shook his head repeatedly: “That wouldn’t feel like a proper win. Hou Mo and I have a battle-born bond—you wouldn’t understand.”

Sang Xian wholeheartedly agreed: “You’re the opponent he least wants to run into.”

Liu Mo looked pleasantly surprised: “So the rascal holds me in such high regard?”

No one else said a word.

After observing for a while, Deng Yiheng asked Coach Wang: “Their game looks pretty intense. It seems like they’re just holding their serves, with no one able to break. Will it keep dragging on?”

Coach Wang responded deeply: “Sui Houyu’s service games are barely being held. But when it’s Jiang Wei’s turn to serve, the opponents win with ease. Hou Mo still hasn’t come up with a solution. He talked to me a bit yesterday and only asked for a few areas he and Sui Houyu need to improve—nothing else was discussed.”

Liu Mo agreed: “Jiang Wei and Lu Qinghui are veterans, steady as ever. Jiang Wei’s serve is one of the best in doubles; not many can handle it.”

Ran Shu listened to their conversation, getting increasingly anxious since no one seemed to believe Sui Houyu’s team could win.

He looked around at those beside him, then stared intently through his binoculars at Sui Houyu and Hou Mo. Finally, he focused on Hou Mo and cursed: “Why’s that dumb monkey grinning? He better not laugh himself out of breath—look at the situation! What’s he smiling for?”

In his urgency, he didn’t even stutter.

Thanks to the binoculars, Ran Shu could clearly catch the subtle expressions on the court.

He saw Hou Mo whispering strategy to Sui Houyu after a point, with a gaze so tender it looked like he was watching his mischievous girlfriend. Frowning, Ran Shu muttered: “Hou Mo and Brother Yu together look like a painting.”

Deng Yiheng, confused, asked: “Is it that artistic?”

“No, it’s just greasy. Way too greasy. I feel like punching Hou Mo,” Ran Shu gritted his teeth as he spoke, looking like someone whose little sister had been flirted with—utterly infuriated.

Omake:

Ran Shu: “Hou Mo, he’s whiny, clingy, shameless, loves to act spoiled, and is a little brat.”

[The most delicate top, taming the wildest bottom.]