Chapter 48: Ranked Fifth, 40 Points!

“Six points! That’s so low this time.”

“Damn, six points is low? That’s already a high score! Look around, who else scored higher than him? Not a single person even matched his score!”

“Exactly. Getting a ten is already insanely lucky, and then to keep scoring that high every round?”

The judges’ scores for the twelve players were displayed for everyone to see, sparking a fresh wave of discussion among the audience.

Many were debating how Wang Changsheng’s score this round was much lower than the previous one.

But in reality, in most competitions, a score of five is already considered high.

Most players barely hit three or four points.

Wang Changsheng had risked himself to steal the shield from the defender, earning six points, which was quite commendable.

Moreover, this game would conclude the next day.

Considering the progress, achieving a high score was indeed no easy feat.

Back in the team room, as soon as Wang Changsheng stepped inside, a crowd gathered around him.

“Brother Wang! You’re amazing! You topped the scores again!” Curly Hair was the first to rush over.

Wang Changsheng smiled faintly. “It’s nothing special, just six points.”

“What? Six points isn’t good enough?”

Buzz Cut moved closer to Wang’s eyes.

“Usually, the highest we get is about four points. Only that guy Wei Gou has gotten six before! But Brother Wang, you even got ten points once; you’re way better than Wei Gou.” Buzz Cut grinned playfully.

Seeing these official team members trailing behind him like little brothers, Wang Changsheng shook his head with a helpless smile.

At that moment, Huang Manyao’s melodious voice rang out: “That guy Wei was bought out for a high price, but he lost his eligibility to compete. His days won’t be easy after that. We don’t need to concern ourselves with him.”

The "Witch" coach spoke, and the other players immediately dispersed.

Huang Manyao had a graceful, fiery figure that drew attention with every step, making outsiders lose their composure.

Yet, everyone present knew exactly what kind of temper their coach had.

If she lost her temper, she would truly dare to throw a punch.

And a hard one at that.

“Xiao Wang, you did well today. For the next two matches, let the others play. You should rest properly. I’ve already arranged for the contract drafting. You’ll be able to review it before the team dinner.” Huang Manyao offered a gentle smile.

To be honest, if she didn’t speak, she could easily be considered a beauty.

Her slender face was as radiant as white jade, her nose delicately pointed, lips vividly red, and her figure perfectly curved.

But once she opened her mouth, though her voice was pleasant, she occasionally let slip some coarse words, making her somewhat unapproachable.

Combined with her iron fists, she inspired fear in anyone who had spent time in the Thought Exchange team.

People simply couldn’t understand how such soft hands could unleash such power.

Before Buzz Cut could say anything else, Huang Manyao shot him a sharp glare.

“Next round, you’re up. If you lose, well...”

Her cold sneer was like a blade piercing straight into his mind.

He shuddered, forcing out an awkward smile. “Sister Huang, are you sure you want me to go? I thought maybe—”

Before he could politely refuse, Huang Manyao’s gaze grew even colder, causing him to tremble.

Buzz Cut hastily nodded. “Don’t worry, Sister Huang, I promise to complete the task. I won’t let Brother Wang down!”

“Good.” Huang Manyao finally withdrew her gaze and pulled Wang Changsheng over to the sofa to sit, no longer paying attention to Buzz Cut preparing to take the field.

That poor guy had no choice but to step out under the pitiful stares of his teammates and head into battle.

Watching his retreating figure, Wang Changsheng sensed a hint of resignation in him.

He stifled a smile.

“Xiao Wang, thanks to you, our team was resurrected. Although you only scored six points this time—not that six is low, but not ten—the sixteen points you’ve earned have propelled us to fifth place, with a total of forty points!”

“As long as there are no major mistakes in the next two rounds, even if we lose one, we can still advance to the final twelve and enter the grand finals!”

Huang Manyao seemed different from the image Wang Changsheng had of her.

She wasn’t as hot-tempered or cold as others said; in fact, she seemed a bit chatty.

This contrast was somewhat novel to Wang Changsheng.

Hearing praise from the infamous “Witch” coach, he humbly shook his head.

“I was just lucky, Sister Huang. I believe everyone will win.”

Wang Changsheng’s attitude made Huang Manyao nod repeatedly.

“Look at Xiao Wang’s attitude—proud but not arrogant. Can you guys learn from him!” she laughed, suddenly turning to shout at a few players.

Instantly, everyone lowered their heads like frightened quails, not daring to utter a word.

Seeing their reaction, Huang Manyao shook her head in exasperation.

“If any of you were even half as good as Xiao Wang, I wouldn’t have to worry about our team being disbanded.”

Her words caused those silent players to freeze, then raise their heads and look at Huang Manyao.

“Sister Huang... now that we have Brother Wang, the team won’t be disbanded,” one of them said.

Huang Manyao sighed. “A team can’t rely on just one person.”

She said no more.

Though she often yelled at them, she was well aware of what should and shouldn’t be said, and when to hold back.

Her usual strictness and criticism reflected her hopes and were for the sake of the team.

But now, words that could hurt morale needed to be measured.

Wang Changsheng noticed the atmosphere growing heavy.

As a former substitute player, he didn’t know much about the team’s affairs and couldn’t say much now.

But after a moment’s thought, he offered a comforting remark.

“Sister Huang, I’ll try to score ten points every game from now on. They can lose however they want. That counts as one person carrying the whole team, right?”

Hearing this, Huang Manyao paused briefly before bursting into laughter.

“Haha! Xiao Wang, you don’t have to comfort me like that. In all these years of national competitions, no one has ever scored ten points. Don’t think it’s easy. Scores above ten are almost impossible to replicate. You being able to score ten in your first competition is already very lucky.”

She smiled, shaking her head. “Just keep up your current level.”

Seeing that she didn’t fully believe him, Wang Changsheng only smiled lightly and said no more.

At that moment, Curly Hair ran over, holding a thick stack of papers.

“Sister Huang, the contract is printed.”

Curly Hair placed the papers on the table in front of Wang Changsheng and Huang Manyao, his eyes full of complicated envy as he looked at Wang.