Chapter Two: Eight Minutes at Twenty-Seven

Activate, Shen commanded silently. The world seemed to slow by a fraction. Dark-gold light climbed from Gu's boots, flowing over the injured leg and through his body. His shoulders straightened. His breathing settled. No new muscle appeared; rather, a man long asleep had remembered his own body. Twenty-seven-year-old Gu Chenzhou opened his eyes inside a thirty-eight-year-old frame. He did not run toward the space. First, he leaned behind the center back, enticing the defender to turn his head. The instant the man's eyes left the ball, Gu reversed direction. One step gained half a body. Two opened the entire shooting lane. Luo's pass came late and behind him. The chance appeared dead, but Gu did not control it.