Chapter Three: The Price of Match Four

Qiao Ran did not hesitate. She passed it into the empty net. Two-one. Full time. Her teammates lifted Chen Sui into the air. “I didn’t mean to do that!” she squeaked. “I just saw a blue flash over there!” Jianxia’s smile froze. “What kind of flash?” “Just a streak.” Chen blinked. “Probably one of the lights.” On the bus home, the Falcons learned they had climbed to eighth place, two points below the playoff line. Wanxing streamed the celebration, Xiaoman led tuneless songs, and Wei Lan distributed adhesive bandages as if they were medals. Coach Xu sat in the front row. Without warning, she handed Jianxia a yellowed photograph.