Master of Verbal Abuse

The five students from Class Eight stood on the basketball court.

They were Lin Mo, Su Mingzhao, Jian Lihao, Gao Yuanqiang, and Tan Lixin.

Among them, only Su Mingzhao was on the school’s basketball team.

Across the court stood Lei Qi, also a member of the school team, but Su Mingzhao had an intense dislike for him.

“Lei Qi, you’re such a damn trash—either you’re fighting or you’re playing basketball. Choosing to fight during a game is just disgusting,” Su Mingzhao spat angrily.

Lei Qi just sneered, then glanced over at Coach Long’s side.

“The coach said I’m fine. Who the hell do you think you are? Or are you saying you haven’t been beaten enough by us yet?”

Hearing that, Su Mingzhao’s expression darkened even further.

Lin Mo recalled how Su Mingzhao had been beaten up by members of the basketball club before.

Yet, for some reason, Su Mingzhao never quit the team.

Probably because he just couldn’t let go.

At that moment, Lin Mo stepped forward.

“If it’s so easy to fight, why don’t you try fighting me? I’ll take on all of you by myself,” Lin Mo challenged.

The moment those words left his mouth, the expressions of the others shifted slightly.

Lei Qi included.

Lei Qi knew very well that Su Mingzhao wasn’t popular in Class Eight and had even offended Lin Mo, so they hadn’t worried at all when they clashed with Su Mingzhao before—no way Lin Mo would step in for him.

But now that Lin Mo had spoken up, they naturally couldn’t be so arrogant anymore.

Still, Lei Qi carried the confident aura of a school basketball team member.

“Lin Mo, maybe you’re good at fighting, but when it comes to basketball, we’re all much further ahead than you!”

Lin Mo waved his hand dismissively. “Sorry, you’re wrong. Not only am I good at fighting, but I’m also an excellent student—second in the entire school.”

He then turned his gaze toward Su Mingzhao, who was about to serve the ball.

“And who told you I’m bad at basketball?”

The second quarter continued.

Since it wasn’t the tip-off, there was no need for a jump ball.

Su Mingzhao took the boundary throw-in.

Suddenly, a ball came flying from behind. Lei Qi was ready to defend.

But a flash of blue school uniform swept past him, somehow bypassing his defense and scoring a layup right behind him.

The score was now 32 to 42.

A ten-point lead.

Just like that, a basket was scored in an instant.

“Just an illusion!” Lei Qi forced himself to stay composed, only seeing Lin Mo casually walking past him—nothing like someone rushing back on defense.

The players from Class Two passed the ball toward Lei Qi.

But just as one reached out, a pair of faster hands intercepted the pass, quickly darting past the three-point line, and scored another layup.

“Too slow,” Lin Mo said, landing lightly on the ground as he casually watched the players from Class Two.

At that moment, silence fell over everyone.

Out went Ma Li, and in came the terrifying Lin Mo.

Even the members of Class Eight felt a chill.

The most surprising thing was that Lin Mo usually didn’t play basketball much.

He had only played once with Ma Li before, and that was a long-range shot.

Another throw-in followed, and Class Two obviously became much more cautious, keeping their eyes firmly on Lin Mo.

Lei Qi even guarded him directly.

But they were supposed to be on the offense.

It was clear Lin Mo was targeting Lei Qi specifically, so Lei Qi refused to take the ball, trying to avoid Lin Mo’s steals.

Still, he underestimated Lin Mo’s speed and reflexes.

With a quick feint, Lin Mo created distance from Lei Qi.

At the same time, Class Two’s center passed the ball to the shooting guard.

The shooting guard stood beyond the three-point line and took a jump shot.

In this situation, sinking more three-pointers could actually help close the score gap.

But in the next moment, a figure like a mountain loomed over him.

The ball, just released, was slapped down with a single palm.

Boom!

The ball slammed hard against the wooden floor, producing a crisp, sharp sound.

Su Mingzhao appeared precisely at the ball’s landing spot and immediately launched a fast break layup.

Two more points scored.

The lead was simply overwhelming.

The shooting guard who had just taken the shot was stunned.

He looked at Lin Mo, who was only about 1.78 meters tall, roughly the same height as himself.

How could his vertical leap be so terrifying?

He seemed to be more than a head taller than him.

That palm strike was so clear to see, it almost felt like it was about to hit his own face.

Seeing the shooting guard dumbfounded, Lei Qi quickly went over and pulled him aside.

“Hey! You!”

“Oh! Oh! That’s insane.”

“I know, but we have to keep fighting.”

Lei Qi glanced at Lin Mo, feeling a pressure even greater than from Ma Li.

Even though his build was similar to Ma Li’s and much taller than Lin Mo’s, Lin Mo’s presence felt more oppressive.

If that was the case, then what could they do?

Lei Qi’s gaze dropped to Lin Mo’s feet.

If it happened again?

Sensing the stare, Lin Mo sneered.

“What? Can’t win, so you want to play dirty again?”

Lin Mo was solely guarding Lei Qi, focusing almost all his attention on him.

Lei Qi said nothing in response, just took a deep breath and tried to keep moving.

He was indeed considering whether he could leap again.

If it happened a second time, a fight might really break out.

But if they didn’t try, Class Two would be stopped right here.

Most of the students played street basketball, but whether their moves were clean or not depended on the individual.

Suddenly, a whistle blew.

Coach Long called for a timeout.

Was there a specialist to guide their tactics?

Lin Mo turned to Jiang Daming. “Teacher, isn’t this against the rules?”

“Coach Long is the PE teacher for Class Two. I can call timeouts too, but I’m not a basketball expert, so I can’t give you tactical advice.”

Jiang Daming looked helpless. After all, Coach Long was highly qualified and he had no right to argue.

Lin Mo could only comfort him by patting his arm.

“Don’t worry, Teacher. We don’t need your tactics. They can’t win anyway. Let Class Two stop here.”

Ma Li sat nearby, looking at Lin Mo with nothing but hope in his eyes.

“Lin Mo, we’re counting on you for the final push.”

“Hey, hey, I scored too, you know!” Su Mingzhao shouted from the side.

After a moment’s thought, Lin Mo turned to Jiang Daming and said, “Teacher, get your phone ready to record. If there’s any more dirty tricks, we need proof.”

Jiang Daming glanced at Class Two in the distance and silently nodded.

On the other side, Coach Long frowned.

“What’s going on with you guys? Losing possession all the time — is this how you play basketball?”

Lei Qi frowned.

“It’s because of Lin Mo. That guy is too strong. If he and Ma Li had started together, we wouldn’t even have a chance.”

“I think you’re out of your mind. Your long passes and slow plays only give the other side more chances!”

Coach Long frowned deeper and pulled Lei Qi to the side.

“Were you just about to pull the same trick again?”

Lei Qi stared at Coach Long in surprise.

“N-no, I wasn’t.”

“That guy Lin Mo might be tough, but he’s still human. If you’re going to make a move, you have to find his blind spot.”

Coach Long’s words left Lei Qi conflicted.

Was he hinting that he should cheat?

He glanced at Lin Mo.

That guy was the fierce tiger of Guangba Middle School.

If he really pulled some dirty tricks, he’d probably get beaten up as soon as he left school.

But he didn’t want to lose.

With that thought, he stepped back onto the court.

Facing Lin Mo again, his mind was a mess.

“What’s the matter? Still debating whether to cheat? Are you really going to pull that stuff in a serious match? Coach Long’s your dad, so he won’t call you out, but is the official referee your dad too?

What about your mom? Is she that amazing?”

Lin Mo, the master of trash talk.