Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog-Chapter 577: He Did It

The crowd didn't realize at first what was about to happen.

But then, as soon as Kai took the shot and Fernando positioned his rifle, they finally had an idea about what was going down.

"They're really going for it?"

"That's impossible! There's no way."

Back in Lina's living room, the team was glued to the screen. Their faces were frozen with horror and disbelief. Mingze leaned forward, eyes wide. "They're shooting… from that range?"

Jet's jaw dropped. "The distance for both of them is—"

"It's insane," Andy cut in. "There's no way a shot like that goes in and lights the ceremonial torch!"

Even Lina had gone quiet. Her eyes went nervously to her father, Mr. Huang, who was sitting stiffly in his chair, arms crossed and brows furrowed as he stared at the screen.

"It's suicide," Caishen muttered. "They can't possibly make it."

Fernando held the rifle with his hands. The noise from the crowd had dulled, drowned out by the hammering of his own heartbeat.

His fingers tightened around the heavy weapon as he lifted it into position.

Kai watched the ball, his heart racing in his chest, too.

"Shoot as usual," Kai's voice echoed in Fernando's mind again.

The kid made it sound so simple and easy. But Fernando knew better. He was older now. Not slower, necessarily, but not what he used to be.

Age was creeping up on him like a shadow. His reflexes and timing—they weren't as sharp. He could feel it in the trembling of his hands as he held the rifle.

It was just a millisecond. A single tremble that delayed his shot ever so slightly. But Fernando knew, deep down, that was enough.

That missed millisecond would determine the lost shot.

Fernando exhaled slowly, then finally pulled the trigger.

The moment the bullet was shot, he turned away from the scene.

He didn't want to see it. He knew it would fail.

The crowd held its breath as the ball and the bullet both flew in the air.

Mr. Liang, who had been wringing his hands and muttering under his breath on the sidelines, squeezed his eyes shut. He, too, couldn't watch.

Back at the Shizi Dogs' house, they leaned in closer to the screen, eyes focused on the trajectory of the ball. "It's too slow," Mingze said quickly, panic rising in his voice.

Andy shook his head. "No, it's going faster—"

"It's not fast enough!" Caishen barked, but his voice faltered as the ball continued to spin, higher and higher.

And then it happened.

The ball struck the edge of the platform. There was a brief, deafening silence as the flame flickered.

Then—

WHOOSH!

The torch ignited with a roar, sending golden fire cascading into the air. The arena exploded into cheers, a sound so loud it shook the very walls.

Fans leaped to their feet, screaming and waving flags as the flame burned brightly against the night sky.

Mr. Liang's eyes flew open. He blinked, stunned, as the glow of the flame reflected on his face. "It lit?" he whispered to no one in particular. "It—it lit!"

Kai let out a breath he hadn't realized he was holding. "Phew," he muttered under his breath, running a hand through his hair. For a second, he'd thought he had passed the ball too fast and that the timing would be ruined.

But it had been perfect.

A few feet away from him, Fernando stood frozen in place, his body slack with disbelief.

"Did that just…?" Fernando whispered, staring at the torch. His heart hammered in his chest.

Kai glanced at him and offered a small, knowing smile. "You made it," he mouthed simply.

Fernando turned his head slowly, still dazed. "I…"

He trailed off.

From every corner of the arena, the roar of the crowd filled his ears. The noise was overwhelming and surreal. People were on their feet, shouting his name and cheering like he'd just won gold.

"Fernando!"

"Unbelievable! He's still got it!"

"That shot was insane!"

"He's a legend!"

The camera panned to the athletes seated in the stands. Some clapped in admiration, others just stared in shock. A few leaned back, shaking their heads, appearing like they couldn't believe what they'd just witnessed.

"He actually made it," someone murmured.

"Are you kidding me? Who even tries a shot like that?"

Back at Lina's house, the team let out a yell.

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"HE DID IT!" Andy shouted, punching the air.

Lina clasped her hands over her mouth, her eyes wide. "Oh my goodness, he really made it."

Even Mr. Huang, who had been stiff with disapproval all night, couldn't help but let his expression soften just a little. He coughed into his fist, looking away as he tried to mask his surprise.

Caishen, meanwhile, slouched back into the couch, arms crossed. "That was it?" he muttered, though the corner of his mouth twitched. "It was all Fernando. Kai got lucky."

Andy turned to him with an incredulous look. "Are you serious? That was crazy!"

Caishen shrugged. "Fine, it was impressive," he said under his breath. "Still…" He glanced at the screen where Kai stood, now smiling at the camera with that handsome smile of his. "I'm not convinced it was all him."

On the arena floor, Fernando stood frozen as waves of people rushed toward him, cameras flashing and voices shouting his name. Hands clapped him on the back, athletes and coaches offering their congratulations.

"Fernando, that was insane!"

"You're a legend, man!"

Fernando's lips twitched into a weak smile, but as the noise surrounded him, his gaze drifted back to Kai. The young player stood off to the side, untouched by the crowd, his expression relieved.

He wasn't soaking in the praise or claiming credit; he was just watching.

And in that moment, Fernando knew.

It wasn't him. He hadn't done anything special.

The shot was perfect because of Kai.

Fernando's hands curled into fists at his sides. He looked at the kid—cool and quiet—before exhaling slowly.

"You did it," he muttered to himself.

The crowd didn't know. The cameras didn't know.

But Fernando did.

The reason the torch burned bright was because of the young man standing silently in its glow.