第73章 "Slipping Slope"

**Chapter 73: The Crack in the Career**

Lin Feng's gaze lingered on the basketball, his mind a maelstrom of negative thoughts. He couldn't understand why his performance had declined so drastically. Was it the lack of training? The pressure from his teammates? Or was it something deeper, a crack in his own confidence?

As he stood there, lost in thought, his teammate, Wang Jie, approached him. "Hey, Lin Feng, what's wrong? You've been struggling on the court lately."

Lin Feng forced a smile. "I'm just a bit tired, that's all."

Wang Jie's expression turned skeptical. "You're not tired, you're just not trying. You're holding back, aren't you?"

Lin Feng's eyes narrowed. "I'm doing just fine. Don't worry about it."

But Wang Jie wouldn't back down. "You know, Lin Feng, you used to be our team's anchor, our leader. But now, you're just a shadow of your former self. What's changed?"

Lin Feng's anger simmered, but he knew Wang Jie was right. Something had changed, and he couldn't deny it. He started to walk away, but Wang Jie followed him.

"Hey, Lin Feng, wait! We need to talk about this. You're my teammate, my friend. I'm worried about you."

Lin Feng spun around, his eyes blazing. "You have no right to be worried about me. You're just concerned about your own stats, about winning games. Well, let me tell you something, Wang Jie. I used to be the one holding this team together, and now you're just stepping on my shoulders."

The words hung in the air like a challenge, and Wang Jie's expression turned cold. "You know what? Forget it. I don't want to be friends with someone who's holding a grudge."

The two teammates glared at each other, the tension between them palpable. Lin Feng knew he'd crossed a line, but he couldn't help it. The frustration and self-doubt had finally boiled over.

As they parted ways, Lin Feng couldn't shake off the feeling that his whole career was crumbling around him. He'd lost his confidence, his friends, and his sense of purpose. What was he left with?

The worn-out basketball still lay on the court, a reminder of the cracks in his career. Lin Feng picked it up, his eyes fixed on the worn leather. There had to be a way to fix this, to mend the cracks and find his way back to the top.

But as he walked off the court, the wind whispered a haunting question in his ear: What if it's already too late?