Meanwhile, a real battle was unfolding on the court. The "Yoshido" team was trying their best, but Ming You, having glanced at them from the side for a moment, understood that their chances of success were minimal. He saw how Jung Ho was trying to boost his comrades' morale.
"We have to win!" Jung Ho shouted, waving his arms. "We can't let them take our money!"
"Yeah, we'll kick their asses!" Lu Shen and the others supported him, but uncertainty was audible in their voices.
Ming You, watching this scene, couldn't hold back a smirk.
"Heh, their efforts are futile."
At that moment, pretending to limp, he moved closer to the gangsters and continued the discussion.
"So, here's how we'll do it — after the team loses, one of you must say that the captain's debt has doubled."
"That will look too suspicious," objected Taek Jung. "If we say the debt has increased, they might suspect something is wrong."
"No," retorted Ming You, "that's exactly what we need. They have to think it's standard practice. And then, when they are in a panic, I will step onto the scene and say that I want to take their debts upon myself as well."
"But you're not going to pay them back, are you?" asked the one who had shot, squinting.
"Of course not," replied Ming You, his eyes glinting slightly with greed. "I just want them to be convinced that I'm saving them. In reality, all the profit will remain with me."
"This is truly immoral," muttered Taek Jung, but interest was audible in his voice. "I want to see how this works."
"It will work," Ming You said confidently, "and we will all benefit. I will get the team under my control, and you will get your money."
When the game resumed, Ming You returned to the bench, pretending to be suffering from pain, as if his leg had been shot through, not just the layer of skin. He couldn't help but notice how the "Yoshido" team was beginning to lose confidence. Every miss, every fall only increased the tension.
"We can't lose," Jung Ho whispered as his team missed the ball again. "This is our last chance!"
The Yoshido team nodded in desperation, trying to squeeze out motivation and strength for a victory.
On the other side of the court, the opponent team, led by Shi Lei and Hong Ji, looked confident and ready to attack. Shi Lei, a tall and powerful player, had already begun to show his skills, confidently dribbling the ball towards the basket.
"Out of the way, punk!" Shi Lei shouted as he sped past Haru Lin. "This is an easy walk!"
"Don't let him through!" shouted Hong Ren, but his voice was too weak to stop the opponent.
Shi Lei threw the ball, and it easily swished into the basket.
"7-2 in our favor!" Hong Ji said with a smirk, winking at his comrades. "This is just the beginning of their descent into debt, heh!"
The Yoshido team, feeling the pressure, tried to pull themselves together. Haru Lin, picking up the ball, took the initiative and rushed forward, trying to get past the defenders.
"You can't break me, you bastard!" he shouted, getting into a shooting stance.
But when he took the shot, his attempt was stopped by Hong Ji, who blocked him with ease.
"Did you think it would be easy?" Hong Ji said mockingly.
"You think we'll give up that easily?!" Haru retorted, lifting the ball for another attempt.
But on the next dribble, he encountered another block. He fell, and his knee, which was already bruised from Ming You's "training," hit the asphalt.
"Haru, are you okay?" Lu Shen shouted, rushing to him. "Get up!"
"I'm okay..." he struggled to his feet, but it was already clear he couldn't play at full capacity.
Meanwhile, Shi Lei took the ball again and, using his strength, broke through the weak and unconfident defense. He shot the ball into the basket from under the hoop and scored again.
"Hahaha!" he laughed, raising his hands in the air. "Where's your defense? Or was Ming You the only one here who could play?"
The Yoshido team was in disarray. Lu Shen, feeling the situation was becoming critical, tried to rally.
"Guys, focus!" he shouted. "We can do this if we work together!"
"What do you think we're doing, you idiot?!" exclaimed Hong Ren, though his voice sounded uncertain. He understood their chances of success were melting away before their eyes.
At that moment, Lu Shen grabbed the ball and finally decided to take matters into his own hands. He forced his way past the defenders, but Shi Lei was in his path again.
"You're not getting through," Shi Lei said, putting his hands up to block the shot.
"Screw you!" Lu shouted, throwing the ball, but his attempt was stopped. The ball bounced to the side, and Hong Ren rushed for it.
"I've got it!" he shouted, running for the ball, but at that moment his foot twisted, and he fell onto the asphalt, grabbing his ankle.
"Damn!" Hong Ren swore, his face contorted in pain. "I can't continue!"
"Hong, get up!" Lu Shen shouted, but it was too late.
The Yoshido team was losing one player after another, and their chances of success were rapidly diminishing.
"This is just ridiculous," Hong Ji sneered, watching the scene. "They can't even pull themselves together."
"Let's finish them off!" Shi Lei yelled, taking the ball again.
He easily got past Haru Lin and from the three-point line corner, sent the ball into the basket.
The whistle blew!
"We..." Lu Shen said in shock, his voice full of despair.
"Lost..." Jung Ho finished for him.
The defeat of the Yoshido team had become inevitable. The gangsters, laughing and celebrating their victory, approached the players, who were filled with despair.
"Well, guys," said Taek Jung, a smirk on his face. "Now you're at our disposal forever. Your debt is forty thousand dollars. And your captain's debt is twice that. How do you want to pay it off?"
"What?" Lu Shen asked again.
"Double debt for the captain? Ming You?" Jung Ho was surprised.
The team stood with their heads bowed, realizing their dreams of victory had been utterly shattered. At that moment, Ming You, who had been observing everything from the back bench, stood up and, limping, approached the gangsters.
"Stop!" he shouted, pretending to be alarmed. "You can't leave them in bondage!"
The gangsters started laughing upon hearing his words. Taek Jung leaned towards Ming You and said with contempt:
"And who are you to tell us what to do? You have a debt too, a double one at that, don't forget!"
"Yes," replied Ming You, trying to maintain a serious tone. "But I can't let you take my friends. We are in this together, and I am willing to take on their debt."
"Haha!" Sung Wo laughed at such acting. "Seriously? You're going to take on the debt of the whole team? You must be out of your mind!"
"This is no joke!" exclaimed Ming You, his voice sounding as if filled with genuine emotion. "I can't let you do this to them. I am willing to pay for them, but give them their freedom!"
The gangsters exchanged glances, pretending they couldn't believe their ears. Taek Jung, still laughing at such audacity and shamelessness, said:
"You really think you can pay off the debts? And the team's debts at that?"
"Yes," answered Ming You, raising his hands to calm them. "I'm saying this from the bottom of my heart. I don't want them to suffer because of me. I am ready to take on their debt! And pay off my double debt!"
"And how do you plan to do that?" Taek Jung asked again, his interest piqued.
"I... I just can't leave them in such a situation," said Ming You, trying to look convincing. "I can work for you until I pay it off. Give them a chance!"
The gangsters started laughing even louder. One of them even slapped Ming You on the back.
"You're a funny guy, Ming You!" he said, laughing. "But maybe you're right. We can leave them alone if you take on their debt."
"What!?" shouted Hong Ren, not understanding what was happening. "Ming You, you shouldn't do this!"
"Quiet!" said Ming You, looking at his comrades. "I won't let you become slaves. That's not what I want!"
The gangsters exchanged glances and finally nodded.
"Alright," said Taek Jung, his voice becoming more serious. "We'll let your team go. But remember, you now owe sixty thousand dollars. And if you don't pay it back, we'll be back."
Taek Jung and the others turned and left, no longer hiding their smiles and laughter at this acting performance.
Ming You nodded, hiding a smile, gloating inwardly:
"My plan worked. The team is now completely under my full control, and I myself am not only debt-free but even made a profit, hehe. Of course, I could pay off my team's debt, but I have other plans for now..."
"Thank you!" Lu Shen shouted, unable to believe the gangsters had really let them go. "We don't know how to thank you!"
"Yes, you're a real hero!" added Haru Lin, his eyes filling with tears. "We thought all was lost."
"You really are a true leader, Ming You," Jung Ho admired.
"Don't mention it, guys," he said, trying to look modest. "I just did what I had to do. We're a team, and we have to support each other."
"But you have a double debt now," Hong Ren remarked, his voice full of sympathy. "It's not easy. You shouldn't have taken such a risk for us."
"I know," replied Ming You, his heart filled with pride. "But I'll manage. The important thing is that you are free."
The team, unaware of his true intentions, began to feel sorry for him. They thought Ming You had ended up in a difficult situation, but in reality, he had profited from their misfortune.
"We'll be by your side," said Lu Shen, hugging Ming You. "We're a team, and we'll get through this together, whether you damn well like it or not!"