Love is as simple as badminton.

"Oh my god."

In the audience of the Social Academy, Lü Xiaonan ate a shrimp chip to calm her nerves.

Having spent over ten years on the Xiangda campus, this was the first time he had ever seen someone be beaten so badly at the Freshman Cup that they ran away in tears.

But if you put yourself in his shoes, after finally reaching the quarterfinals, a deep round where you can really show your skills, only to have your opponent give you two sets of three points, you'd probably be devastated too...

"This...that's it?"

"That's brutal, they didn't even score ten points in both rounds combined..."

"I never expected the first best-of-three knockout match to end with such a dominant score..."

The students in the social studies department silently sympathized with Ouyang Yimiao.

Although they supported Lin Xiang, competitive sports always show sympathy for the side that is crushed, just like in the 08 Olympic finals, many people sympathized with a certain Malaysian athlete.

"Great, making it to the top four guarantees a medal! Our little school has finally made something of itself!"

Seeing the advancement information scrolling on the big screen, Lü Xiaonan finally felt relieved and excitedly clenched her fist.

The Freshman Cup does not have a third-place match; the two semifinalists each receive a bronze medal.

This is the first time in the history of the Freshman Cup that a student from the School of Social Sciences has won a bronze medal!

Judging from the terrifying level of cultivation that Lin Xiang has displayed, reaching the top four is clearly not the end!

"Old Lu, you're such a coward, you don't even dare to dream big!"

Xu Yue, who had just finished hosting the transition from the quarterfinals to the semifinals, grabbed a handful of shrimp chips and exclaimed, "Although Lao Lin deserves to die a little, and is a bit of a bastard... his basketball skills are truly unparalleled."

The top four are nothing to Lao Lin, are they?

Old Lin's goal is to win gold! To be the champion!

"Lin Xiang! Champion! Lin Xiang! Champion!"

The students from the School of Social Sciences behind him echoed in unison.

This might be a bit childish for elementary school students, but it's just right for college students.

"Great! Champion!"

Lü Xiaonan smiled through her tears.

That's why young people are so energetic. They haven't experienced the predicament of having no one to rely on, nor do they know what it's like to finally participate in a competition only to be eliminated in the first round.

Fortunately, they don't need to know anymore, which is good!

The guest seating area in the distance was also bustling with activity.

"Old Li, why is your face so red? You look radiant! Oh? Why is your face so yellow again? It's not even cold outside!"

Zhao Jie kept teasing Li Meng, but Li Meng didn't react at all. He seemed calm, but he actually walked around for a while.

Last year, he witnessed the School of Physics sweeping the top eight spots. As an instructor in the School of Physics, he was particularly proud, and the scene of everything flourishing seemed to be right before his eyes.

Unexpectedly, just one year later, the Freshman Cup competition venue became his downfall.

The more spirited he was a year ago, the more devastated he became a year later.

Chen Zaiyou, who was sitting in the first row with the leaders, also showed an expression of great interest.

"What a fantastic match!"

As the saying goes, the layman sees the spectacle, while the expert sees the details.

Although both sets ended 21-5, the styles of the two players were completely different.

In the first game, Lin Xiang only briefly probed Ouyang's strengths and weaknesses in the first point before he quickly identified them with astonishing efficiency and delivered a surgically precise attack.

The control of the landing point and the grasp of the rhythm can be said to be impeccable at this level!

The second game was a head-to-head battle of dominance: Lin Xiang did not continue the strategy from the first game, but instead focused on competing with Ouyang's strengths in smashes and net play.

This approach may seem irrational, but it is actually quite sophisticated.

First and foremost, their hard power is undeniable.

Strengths and weaknesses are relative; even Ouyang's longest board isn't as long as Lin Xiang's shortest board...

Secondly, competitive sports are not purely numerical games and rational calculations; morale, spirit, and physical condition all have a significant impact.

Defeating your opponent in their area of ​​expertise is the best way to break their fighting spirit.

Didn't you see that Ouyang was beaten to tears?

For our side, winning in this way not only gives us a positive psychological boost, but also boosts our morale and prepares us for the tough battles to come.

This happens in many competitions: players who easily advance at full strength lose to players who have fought their way through – and that's why.

Looking at the contestant's profile, Lin Xiang is even a liberal arts student?

"I never imagined that your school's badminton level had developed to this extent."

Chen Zaiyou nodded deeply, "That's truly incredible."

"Haha, it's alright!"

Chen Bing nodded modestly, but was secretly delighted.

As the principal, he had hosted many world-class players at the Freshman Cup, but this was the first time he had received such sincere praise.

"I heard they're also trying to send talent to the Chinese national badminton team?"

Chen Zaiyou's quiet questioning sounded like Kaka from a certain TV series.

"Where did you hear that from?"

Chen Bing raised an eyebrow. "This matter is still in the conceptual stage; only insiders know about it."

"It was someone on the inside who told me. Don't worry, I'm very tight-lipped."

Chen Zaiyou made a gesture as if he were zipping up his mouth.

"I feel there's a very good chance, not just a thought. I hope to have the opportunity to compete against students from Shangri-La on the international stage before the end of my professional career!"

"Haha, then I'll take Mr. Chen's kind words."

Chen Bing chuckled and shook his head, then took out his phone to search for his WeChat friends.

Sailor Moon: "Why do you always have to show off when you're even a little bit cocky?"

Sailor Moon: "At my age, can't I be a little more low-key?"

Yutenji Wakamaru: "I showed off through my own abilities, why should I be low-key?"

Yutenji Wakamaru: "Just you wait and see! Within a year, my star pupil will definitely have a chance to break into the international badminton arena!"

Sailor Moon: "Whatever makes you happy." (jpg)

Chen Bing smiled and put away his phone.

It's been a long time since I've seen Old Wang so lively and vibrant. He's doing well...

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Toyokawa Shoko: "Reporting to Master, we're done."

Yutenji Wakamaru: "Why are you only replying now? What were you doing before?"

Shoko Toyokawa: "Nothing."

Wang Tianmao raised an eyebrow, sensing that something had happened, but considering that Lin Xiang was indeed a quiet and honest man, he didn't think much of it.

Yutenji Wakamaru: "Well done, hahaha! You have no idea how popular you are right now!"

Yutenji Wakamaru: "But why are you still mocking your opponent? Everyone in the stadium heard you say 'You played well,' and it drove that kid crazy."

Yutenji Wakamaru: "Don't say things like that next time, it's a bit too hurtful."

Shoko Toyokawa: "Is that so? But I was serious."

Shoko Toyokawa: "I do think he played well, that's why I said that."

Shoko Toyokawa: "Scratching head jpg"

He added an emoji, which made Wang Tianmao a little flustered. He seemed like a rather aloof person, but often appeared somewhat dazed.

Yutenji Wakamaru: "Whatever makes you happy..."

Yutenji Wakamao: "The semi-finals and finals this afternoon won't be so easy. Apart from Wang Luo, everyone else is a strong player, and it won't be easy to predict who advances."

Yutenji Wakamaru: "In addition, everyone will be attacking you, so your consumption will definitely be relatively greater, and it is normal to feel tired later on."

Yutenji Wakamaru: "Grit your teeth and hold on, get back into the game."

Shoko Toyokawa: "Mm."

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