Chapter Two: The Red Line Painted Green

“Don't play word games. Cameras follow whoever decides where the ball goes. You understand me.” Once, Xinglan had not. She thought club and team meant the same thing. She thought winning solved everything. Now she saw clearly: some people preferred a difficult victory to letting an uncontrollable player become indispensable. “I decide only one thing,” she said. “The ball goes to the best scoring chance.” The timeout horn sounded. As she turned back to the floor, Luo's voice followed her. “Then pray you're right every time.” Xinglan did not look back. She had waited five years to hear that challenge again.