Love is as simple as badminton.

Chapter 48 Lin Xiang probably isn't feeling too good either...

"Welcome back to the Freshman Cup competition, teachers, students, and distinguished guests. I am your beloved host, Xu Yue."

As the Freshman Cup enters its later rounds, the intensity of the competition has become even more fierce. Although the matches haven't started yet, I can already feel the vibrant energy and the competitive spirit of everything vying for dominance.

Hey everyone, can I see your enthusiasm too?

Xu Yue, speaking with a strong Northeastern accent, successfully livened up the atmosphere in the stadium.

Today is the second day of the Freshman Cup, but the number of viewers has increased rather than decreased.

In addition to the freshmen who just enrolled in September, there were also many senior students who came to watch.

—Anyway, I'll get the extracurricular credits eventually, so why not watch something interesting since I'm just an audience member wherever I am?

Good morning, Lao Li!

Zhao Jie, an instructor from the Social Academy, entered the venue like a street urchin, carrying two steamed buns.

He ignored several empty seats nearby and deliberately squeezed to sit next to Li Meng, an instructor from the Physics Department, with a grin on his face.

"I heard that quite a few kids from your Physics Department have made it to the top 16, that's really amazing. Unlike our little department, which only has Lin Xiang as our sole representative, there's not much room for error."

Oh, by the way, you had three kids who didn't advance yesterday, right? Yeah, it seems regret is inevitable.

Li Meng's eyes widened: "Zhao Jie, I'm warning you, don't go too far!"

"Where did I go too far? Didn't you comfort me like this last year? We're comrades, no need to be so polite!"

Zhao Jie's expression turned comical. "Even if everyone from your Physics Department is eliminated, it doesn't matter! You're welcome to support our Sociology Department!"

"*%&@#!!!"

The two instructors began a new round of friendly exchanges, and the other instructors quickly intervened to break up the fight.

Chen Zi, who loves watching a good show, secretly recorded this joyful scene and left without a trace of her accomplishment.

These, along with the highlights of the court, are valuable materials for later promotion. In addition to the Badminton Association's official WeChat account publishing articles, various colleges will also celebrate the results achieved by their own players on their official WeChat accounts.

Hopefully, Lin Xiang can go further in her career, so she can capture more material from the Social Sciences Academy!

·

"You're Lin Xiang? You really do seem like a master."

On court number 7, Yang Rui pushed up his glasses, nodded slightly, and his gaze was reflected in purple by the lenses.

"You're very energetic too."

Lin Xiang also exchanged a compliment, his expressionless face giving off a strangely comical vibe.

For the sake of entertainment, the Xiangda Freshman Cup included a one-minute pre-match Q&A session. Both teams were free to speak their minds, from trash talk and provocation to mutual courtesy, as long as they didn't resort to personal attacks or violate any rules.

"They all say you're amazing, and it's hard to get double-digit scores from you. But I don't believe it."

What kind of hero would admit defeat before even engaging in combat?

Yang Rui licked his lips. "I not only want to get a double-digit score, I also want to beat you and advance! Just you wait and see!"

This time, Lin Xiang got possession of the ball, while Yang Rui chose to play against the wind.

"Snapped!"

Facing Lin Xiang's backhand drop shot at the start, Yang Rui decisively rushed to the net and attacked, striving for the first-mover advantage.

Lin Xiang steadily returned the ball to the top of the table, sending it to the backhand sideline where it was more difficult to generate power. However, Yang Rui's footwork was incredibly fast. He anticipated the movement and moved to the left in advance, delivering a decisive and forceful backhand smash.

Lin Xiang returned to the top again, maintaining the perfect arc and quality, but Yang Rui continued to accelerate, pressing down even more aggressively than before and effectively shutting down any possibility of Lin Xiang changing lanes.

After six or seven sharp exchanges, Yang Rui boldly attacked his forehand area, scoring the first point with a net sweep.

"roar!"

Yang Rui clenched his fist to cheer himself on.

He was the first person to score the first point against Lin Xiang.

As it turns out, the so-called social science academy supernova is not invincible!

"That's more like it."

In the distant stands, Deng Ziyang nodded up and down.

"Yang Rui is not the strongest in the reserve team, but he has a great willpower. No matter how strong the opponent is, he dares to fight with all his might and will never assume that he will lose before the game even starts."

Just based on his attitude, he deserves a place on the official team. Those lazy, good-for-nothing lads should learn from him!

If they all played like Yang Rui, it's hard to say how far Lin Xiang could go!

Ling Ye glanced at him: "It sounds like you're pretty sure Lin Xiang will make it to the finals."

"There's no contradiction. It's also a fact that Lin Xiang is stronger—both in terms of external and internal martial arts."

Deng Ziyang gave a soft snort.

"Perfect height, powerful and rapid muscles, and a mature basketball IQ and mentality beyond his years...tsk tsk, so enviable."

The saying "God feeds you" probably refers to people like this.

But what if someone is a genius? Even ordinary people, fighting with all their might, can still put up a fight!

·

At this point, the score was 6-11.

For a single-game format, such a point difference is already quite large, and given Lin Xiang's steady performance, it can be said that he has secured the victory.

Despite this, Yang Rui still showed no intention of giving up after the break, and maximized the power of every shot.

It was as if, in his eyes, the score didn't exist; every ball was the last.

"Clatter!"

Faced with Lin Xiang's impenetrable attack and restriction, Yang Rui, in a desperate situation, used a crossover shot, and unexpectedly, his luck was on fire, and the badminton shuttlecock rolled right over the net.

"call!"

Yang Rui clenched his fist to encourage himself: Go all out and fight, luck is on my side!

"Hiss, this is not good."

In the audience of the Social Academy, Lü Xiaonan frowned slightly, "Yang Rui has never played this fiercely before. This performance feels like an extraordinary one."

Zhao Haoqi said, "But it's alright, isn't it? Although he's catching up, Lin Xiang has maintained his lead the whole time, so advancing is definitely not a problem."

"No problem, but what happens after that?"

Lü Xiaonan looked at the order book in her hand.

"As the competition progressed, Lin Xiang became the only non-school team player on the field."

Now everyone has noticed Lin Xiang, and every opponent behind him will accelerate their attack.

As the saying goes, even two fists can't beat four hands; even Ultraman would have to flash his red light after being bombarded like that!

The sociology students around him nodded in agreement.

"But there's no precedent in the history of the Freshman Cup for a Social Studies academy to reach the top 8, right?"

Gu Qingqing added, "From this perspective, Lin Xiang is actually quite powerful, capable of making so many experts risk their lives to fight him."

"That's true..."

Lü Xiaonan smiled wryly.

He participated in the Freshman Cup during his freshman year and first year of graduate school, but was eliminated in the first round both times. Now, a junior has made it to the top 8 despite being surrounded by top players from the school team, which is quite remarkable.

However, if possible, he still wants to see the Social Studies Institute go further...

"Match ended. Lin Xiang wins 21:12!"

"happy!"

After the match, Yang Rui patted Lin Xiang on the shoulder across the net, "I've never had so much fun playing before. It's definitely different to compete against a master."

"Yeah, you're strong too."

Lin Xiang also touched his buttock with his racket, and hot sweat slid down his cheeks.

Flat blocks are the tactic that can narrow the gap in strength between the two sides. Therefore, facing Yang Rui's offensive, Lin Xiang didn't have any particularly good solutions. He could only respond head-on and counter each move as it came.

In addition, luck was on Yang Rui's side today, which allowed him to hit many net shots and shots that landed on the line.

You need to be very careful!

Yang Rui laughed heartily.

"My brothers after me will fight you even harder than I have. Well, I guess that's special treatment for a pro. Don't stop too soon, I want to see you fight a few more rounds."

"Okay, as you wish."

Lin Xiang remained expressionless.

·

"How was it? Any insights?"

"You got 12 points! That's more than the previous three combined! Awesome, bro!"

"No, do you have to bring us up? Why don't you go fight him then!"

As soon as Yang Rui returned to the players' waiting area, he was surrounded by his teammates who came to learn from him.

"Just do as Captain Deng says, fight freely."

Yang Rui grinned, "Keeping your grip on every ball and taking points from a genius isn't such a pipe dream..."

After saying that, he sat down on the ground and began to pant heavily.

The impact on Lin Xiang had drained him of all his energy; his legs were now weak. Taking points from a genius comes at a price.

But Lin Xiang probably won't be having an easy time either, right?

Thinking about this, Yang Rui felt somewhat more at peace...

·

·