Chapter 3, Unexpected Match

Lu Cheng found himself captivated by the skill and agility of the boy, his movements fluid and precise. He marveled at the way the boy effortlessly glided across the court, his arrogance evident in every swing.

As the match went on, the other teens couldn't keep up and lay breathlessly on the grass, admitting defeat.

"I can't go on any more. I gave up, Chuanli, you win."

"Yeah, you're the winner so let us go, ok?"

"We promise, we won't be violent again and will wait for our turn."

The boys beg for mercy. At the beginning, they were arrogant and looked down on Zhu Chuanli as a rich kid who doesn't understand the rules and decided to teach him a lesson.

Who would've thought that they would be the ones being taught a lesson instead? After roaming around like a headless fly for almost an hour, they finally admit their mistakes.

"You better keep your words, otherwise, this is just the beginning!" Zhu Chuanli threatened them.

"We won't go back on our words." The others quickly promised.

"F**k off then, what are you still waiting for? Do you want me to send you off?"

"No, no need, we will leave by ourselves." The boys picked up their belongings and then ran off.

Zhu Chuanli picks up a small round robot, almost the size of a ball and presses a button on the side, a blue screen appears, showcasing the result of the match just now. "Branch of useless fools." He cursed under his breath when he saw the poor result of those bunch of people.

Zhu Chuanli is a charming and youthful teenager with a striking appearance. At the age of 15, he possesses a unique combination of features that makes him stand out from the crowd. With his blond hair cascading down his shoulders, it adds a touch of radiance to his overall appearance.

His golden eyes captivate those who meet his gaze, reflecting a sense of arrogance. One of Chuanli's most notable features is his full lips, which give him an endearing and approachable smile. Unknowingly, under this innocent skin, lays a dark heart with a haughty personality.

"Hey you over there, do you want to play tennis?" Zhu Chuanli suddenly pointed out his rocket and called out to Lu Cheng who was startled by him.

"Who?...me?" Lu Cheng pointed at himself and asked doublefully.

"Is there anyone else here apart from you and me?" Zhu Chuanli looked at Lu Cheng as if he was looking at a fool.

Lu Cheng looked around and sure enough, only the two of them were left at the tennis court. He didn't know when but everyone had left. "I… I don't have a rocket."

"Come here, I have a spare one for you to use."

"OK, I have to thank you in advance."Lu Cheng opened the gate and entered the tennis court excitedly, forgetting that it was almost time for the bus to arrive.

"Whatever, as long as you don't waste my time." Zhu Chuanli took out a blue rocket from his sport bag and handed it to Lu Cheng.

Lu Cheng was filled with anticipation and nervousness as he stepped into the tennis court. This was his first time playing against an opponent. Usually, he just practices with the machine.

Standing on opposite sides of the net, Zhu Chuanli wanted to throw the ball to Lu Cheng to serve first, but the other party waved his hands and refused; "You should serve, I'm not good at serving."

"Ok," Zhu Chuanli didn't insist, with the ball thrown into the air, he jumped after it and hit it with the rocket, a fast ace was served. Once the ball landed, Lu Cheng was already there which shocked Zhu Chuanl. Unfortunately, although Lu Cheng arrived in time, he forgot to hit the ball, resulting in a loss of points.

"Sorry, I forgot to swing the rocket." Lu Cheng didn't see the disbelieving look on Zhu Chuanli's face and apologized embarrassingly.

Zhu Chuanli didn't respond, he silently picked up another ball and served. The same thing happened, the other party forgot to receive the ball.

As the game began, Lu Cheng found himself unsure of his positioning and timing, which resulted in him being either one step ahead or one step behind the ball. His lack of experience was evident.

Zhu Chuanli swiftly gained points in the early stages of the match. However, Lu Cheng's determination and focus were unwavering. Now that he finally met an opponent who is willing to pay with him, he took this opportunity to learn. He closely observed his opponent's moves, dissecting his technique and strategies.

Gradually, Lu Cheng began to grasp the nuances of the game, assimilating the required skills and tactics. He realized the importance of timing. With each exchange, Lu Cheng's control over the ball grew, leading to incredible precision in his shots. His forehand and backhand strokes became steady and forceful, leaving Zhu Chuanli astonished.

What was truly remarkable, though, was Lu Cheng's speed on the court. Despite his initial fumbles, he swiftly moved from one side to the other, covering the entire court effortlessly. His agility and quick reflexes allowed him to reach almost every ball, surprising Zhu Chuanli.

By the end of the match, Zhu Chuanli won but he realized that despite his own victory, a sense of dissatisfaction loomed over him. He couldn't ignore the undeniable truth hidden within the match data recorded by the robot. Lu Cheng's speed, accuracy, endurance, and control were all on pair with his own.

It was clear that Lu Cheng had tapped into his latent potential, rapidly improving throughout the game. What started as a shaky beginning morphed into a display of sheer skill.

"Thanks for the match. I learned a lot." Lu Cheng sincerely thanked Zhu Chuanli.

"You, what's your name?"

Lu Cheng ignored Zhu Chuanli's commending tune and answered, "My surname is Lu, my name is Lu Cheng. What's your name?"

Zhu Chuanli didn't respond but asked instead; "What school are you attending?"

Lu Cheng felt the corner of his mouth twisting. "I'm not in school currently but I received an invitation to a youth camp. I ask for your name."

"I am called Zhu Chuanli. Which camp is it?"

"I think it's the East Camp. It is said to be located near the Bammun river."

"Where do you live?" Zhu Chuanli continued to asked

"Where do I live?..." Lu Cheng repeated the question as if he had no idea. He opened his small book only to realize what he had forgotten. "Oh No, The Bus." He quickly grabbed his bag and ran to the bus stop while shouting goodbye to Zhu Chuanli.

Lu Cheng has unknowingly left a deep impression on Zhu Chuanli. His remarkable ability to adapt, and overcome challenges showcased his true potential as a tennis player. With continued practice and experience, he was bound to become a formidable force with.

"Lu Cheng, huh?.... East Youth Camp…" A smile that did reach his eyes appeared on Zhu Chuanli lips. "It won't be long before we cross paths again." He packed up his belongings and left with the ball shaped robot on his shoulder.

And so, as the sun began to set, casting a warm golden glow over the tennis court. Two youths of different destination cross path.