Love is as simple as badminton.

Chapter 14 Lin Xiang's Social Skills

"...Then I'll serve."

Sensing Lin Xiang's aura, Wang Yang narrowed his eyes.

According to his preconceived notion, badminton is a sport with a strict hierarchy, so those who play with novices are unlikely to be experts, except for those with impure motives.

However, Lin Xiang gave him the feeling of a seasoned general who had never been on the battlefield, showing no signs of being timid.

Especially after hearing that he had the strength of a national second-level player, he remained calm and composed, as if he had seen it all before.

Could he really be a badminton expert like me?

Interesting. I'd like to see what kind of beast you are!

"despair"

Wang Yang serves a short ball with his backhand, while quickly adjusting his stance so that his left foot is forward.

This is a typical serve and return strategy for professional men's singles players. By using a backhand serve to the far net, the player forces the opponent to push the ball, creating an opportunity for an attack.

If our side simply retreats one step, we can quickly press down and organize an attack.

The backhand short serve is rarely used on amateur courts because a smash requires great power and speed, and those who are not skilled enough are easily caught off guard.

It's better to serve a high clear with your forehand, which can slow down the pace, wear down your opponent, and is a safer option.

Wang Yang's choice to start in this way demonstrates his confidence in his abilities.

Although he hadn't had systematic training for many years, as the saying goes, even a lean camel is bigger than a horse. If Lin Xiang dared to push the ball, he would show Lin Xiang what a true master was.

"bite"

Lin Xiang stepped to the net, extended his racket forward, seemingly intending to push the ball; but just as he was about to touch it, he suddenly pulled back his racket, hooking the ball to the opposite corner.

Wang Yang was caught off guard by the extremely consistent movements and hurriedly started again to retrieve the ball.

"Snapped!"

Just as the shuttlecock crossed the net, Lin Xiang delivered a swift and decisive blow.

1:0.

Lin Xiang remained expressionless.

"nice shot."

Wang Yang passed the ball to the other side, his brows furrowing slightly.

He was quite certain that his serve was of good quality, with no issues with the arc or the landing point.

The only comfortable shot with this kind of ball is a push; it's very difficult to hit from other angles.

Especially when scribbling diagonally, it's not only difficult to get the line to fit the net perfectly, but it's also easy to go out of bounds.

Could it be that... Lin Xiang's speed and technique are at least a level above his?

"Go, Yang Ge! Don't embarrass our Physics Department!"

"That's right! Let him see your true strength!"

The two burly men on the sidelines hadn't realized the seriousness of the situation and were still cheering loudly.

In their view, losing one or two points is not a big deal; a certain god prefers three-point courts.

"bite"

Lin Xiang also served a short ball with his backhand.

Wang Yang had anticipated this, and with a stomp of the ground, his figure as he pushed the ball with the ferocity of a wild beast.

Knowing that Lin Xiang was no ordinary man, he no longer held back this time and went straight for the maximum speed.

This quick push was flawless, combining speed and trajectory, and heading straight for Lin Xiang's backhand sidecourt, maximizing the use of space. Even his strongest former teammate would have a hard time receiving such a shot!

As long as we can force Lin Xiang to use his backhand transition, we can seize the initiative and then—

*Smack!*

Lin Xiang leaped from the ground, flying across most of the court, his forearm flashing at lightning speed.

Before Wang Yang could get back into position and prepare to receive the ball, just as he raised his racket, he saw a blurry white line fall straight down from the sky.

"Thump—"

The badminton shuttlecock slammed to the ground with a loud thud!

The dull thud, like a lead ball, stunned his brain for two and a half seconds.

2:0.

Lin Xiang's face was expressionless.

"what?"

Wang Yang made out the voice of his senior from that day.

……

Ten minutes later.

20:2.

Lin Xiang wiped the sweat from his temples with his wrist and nodded silently. He'd broken a sweat this round; the intensity was definitely there.

Wang Yang, after all, was a former second-year high school student, and his strength was much greater than that of his senior.

Although it doesn't make much difference to him.

But is it really fair to only let them get two points?

Lin Xiang glanced at the other two muscular men from the Physics Department who were squatting on the sidelines.

They stopped making a fuss at some point, their faces showing confusion and fear, just like the real-life version of Brother Eagle.

On the other side of the court, Shi Yuqi sat obediently cross-legged, her eyes filled with seriousness and joy as she watched the game.

Lin Xiang pondered for a moment and decided to accidentally serve into the net.

Although their disrespectful attitude towards the senior student made him somewhat unhappy, frankly speaking, it was just because they were eager to play basketball and they didn't make any fundamental mistakes.

Moreover, the senior herself didn't seem to take it to heart.

Well, let's spare their time this time.

"20-3, it's your turn to serve."

Lin Xiang handed the ball to Wang Yang, feeling that he was very shrewd and worldly-wise.

"……Thanks."

Wang Yang accepted his advice on "human relationships and social customs," hesitant to speak, yet still wanting to.

The water was so poorly prepared that he didn't know where to begin complaining.

He feels regret right now, deep regret.

I was trying to play dumb to outsmart the enemy, but I ended up biting into a Tyrannosaurus Rex...

In reality, Wang Yang only managed to score those two points through a desperate attack and a lucky net shot. Lin Xiang clearly wasn't taking the shots seriously either; otherwise, he might not have even scored those two points. Of course, the price was that he ran out of stamina and was subsequently overwhelmed even more severely…

It's the last ball anyway.

Wang Yang gritted his teeth and decided to serve a high clear with his forehand.

His serve was spot on; the shuttlecock shot like a rocket, its trajectory pointing straight to the ceiling, only beginning to fall at the outer baseline, tracing a beautiful acute triangle.

Such a serve is long and deep, making it difficult for the opponent to organize a decisive offensive, and they can only temporarily transition.

Wang Yang's serve can be seen as an admission that he is weaker than Lin Xiang.

Since we really can't win, we should play conservatively from the serve onwards and take it one shot at a time.

Even if Lin Xiang is stronger than him, he can't just directly—

"squeak!"

As he pondered, Lin Xiang took two quick, crossover steps and retreated beyond the baseline. The friction of his shoes against the floor produced a sharp, satisfying braking sound.

Seeing the panic in Wang Yang's eyes, he jumped up and soared high into the air.

"Smack!!!"

A thunderous thud echoed throughout the stadium.

This ball had no trajectory; it went straight for the middle, making it easy to predict.

However, the moment Wang Yang touched the ball, the immense force transmitted through the racket made his hand go numb as if he had been electrocuted, and he lost control of the ball.

The shuttlecock flew over the net at a moderate height.

Lin Xiang dashed to the net like a lightning bolt, swinging his racket like a killing machine.

Wang Yang extended Er Kang's hand: "Wait—"

"Smack!!!"

Lin Xiang swung his racket, and the shuttlecock hit the service line, sliding all the way out of the court...

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"Bro, you're amazing."

When shaking hands after the match, Wang Yang looked honest and completely convinced of the outcome.

"You played well too."

Lin Xiang nodded, his face remaining expressionless.

He still felt that Wang Yang's unruly demeanor was more spirited.

Just then, Shi Yuqi, who had gone out at some point, returned with a plastic bag containing drinks in her hand.

"Hey! You've worked hard!"

"Thank you, senior."

Lin Xiang still chose the lime-flavored one, and still didn't win.

"You've all worked hard too."

Shi Yuqi turned the plastic bag to the other side.

"Thank you, senior..."

The three burly men from the Physics Department became soft-spoken, and after reflecting on their previous words and actions, they belatedly realized their offense and lowered their heads, blushing.

Shi Yuqi saw it all, but said nothing and just smiled it off.

After everyone had their own bottle, there was still one bottle of water left in the bag. Shi Yuqi put this bottle next to Lin Xiang's golf bag.

Lin Xiang glanced at the time, put down his drink, and picked up his racket.

"Are you going to fight again?"

Wang Yangqi said.

"No, I still have my own training to complete."

Lin Xiang glanced at him.

Wang Yang was stunned for a long time, then suddenly felt ashamed.

Compared to when he first started playing, his skills have improved a lot, but he has lost his initial steadiness and humility, and his spirit has become weaker.

"Thanks, brother. I had a great day."

Wang Yang slung his golf bag over his shoulder. "Let's meet up again sometime!"

"Um."

Lin Xiang nodded in agreement and continued his training.

That's the best response.

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