244: Coach Chen wasn't wrong?

Lei Jun's opponent, Li Jing from the Dongshan Provincial Team, was a veteran in her late twenties with extensive experience. She looked at Lei Jun with scrutiny and a hint of imperceptible ease.

Clearly, she had also heard the rumors about this "controversial player."

The match began.

From the start, Li Jing tried to use her experience and rhythm to control the match, her serves varied and her placements tricky.

However, she soon realized something was wrong.

Lei Jun's serve return was exceptionally steady. No matter the spin or placement, she seemed able to anticipate and neutralize it with ease. Her returns were high quality, often carrying heavy spin and tricky placements that made things very difficult for Li Jing.

Li Jing tried to step up her offense, but her loops and smashes seemed to hit cotton when faced with Lei Jun's seemingly airtight defense. They were easily blocked back, and the returns became increasingly difficult to handle.

In the first set, Li Jing used every trick in the book but could never pull ahead in the score. Instead, at a crucial point, Lei Jun scored with an unexpected backhand fast rip down the line. 11-9, Lei Jun took the first set.

The laughter and chatter in the stands quieted down, and many people wore expressions of surprise. Li Jing was a former national player! Even though she was older, her experience and fundamentals were still there. How could she lose the first set?

In the second set, Li Jing adjusted her tactics, increasing the spin and rhythm variations. But Lei Jun seemed to see through all her intentions, always managing to stand in the optimal hitting position a step ahead and responding with the perfect technique.

Lei Jun's playing style remained understated, without any particularly violent attacks, but every shot had a strong sense of purpose and control. This made Li Jing feel more and more awkward as she played, and her errors began to increase.

11-6, Lei Jun took another set.

This time, the stands went completely silent.

Many people gaped, looking at the calm, silver-haired girl on the court in disbelief.

This... how was this a "pretty face"?

This defense, this anticipation, this control... this was clearly the level of a top-tier expert!

In the third set, Li Jing's composure clearly crumbled, leading to more errors. Lei Jun played steadily and gave her opponent no chances, finishing the match cleanly at 11-4. With a total score of 3-0, she swept the former national player Li Jing and advanced to the next round!

When the final ball hit the ground and the referee declared Lei Jun the winner, the entire secondary arena was deathly silent at first, followed by a buzz of discussion mixed with amazement and disbelief.

"My god... she actually won? And she beat Li Jing? 3-0?"

"This defense... it's terrifying! Li Jing couldn't break through at all!"

"Is she really an amateur? This technique, this mental fortitude... it's better than many active players!"

"Could it be... Coach Chen didn't misjudge? Is she really a genius?"

"Let's see, let's wait and see. Maybe Li Jing just wasn't in good form today..."

The audience's attitude began to shift subtly from pure mockery and doubt to surprise and curiosity.

And those who had previously talked big were now keeping their heads down and staying quiet, their faces burning with embarrassment.

Tony, Qin Yu, Lin Xiaoya, and the others jumped up in excitement!

Lin Xiaoya's eyes even turned red. She grabbed Qin Yu's arm, jumping up and down: "She won! Sister Lei won! See that? See that? Go ahead and mock her again!"

Coach Chen let out a long sigh of relief at the sideline and pumped his fist hard!

The first hurdle was cleared!

And in such a dominant fashion!

He looked at Lei Jun, his eyes filled with excitement and gratification.

He knew he had made the right bet!

In the following matches, Lei Jun swept through the competition.

Her playing style remained stable and efficient; her defense was like a "Wall of Sighs," and her offense was as precise as a surgical scalpel.

Whether it was a power-based powerhouse or a technical grinder, none of them seemed to gain any advantage against her.

She always managed to neutralize her opponents' attacks in the most rational way and seize fleeting opportunities to deliver a fatal blow.

Even more terrifying was that her mental fortitude seemed cast from steel. Whether she was leading or trailing, no matter how intense the scene, her expression and gaze hardly changed, remaining chillingly calm.

As the opponents she defeated became more famous—including several active national team members—and as she advanced deeper into the rounds, the skepticism from the outside world vanished, replaced by growing amazement, praise, and curiosity.

"Just who is this Lei Jun? Her technique is so comprehensive! She has almost no weaknesses!"

"Her mental fortitude is too strong! She has a massive heart! She's simply born for the big stage!"

"The Modu Team really found a treasure this time! Coach Chen has a keen eye for talent!"

"Where are those people who were cursing Coach Chen and Lei Jun before? Why don't you come out and say something now?"

Finally, Lei Jun fought her way into the women's singles final!

Her opponent was a top-tier expert in the current women's table tennis world, an absolute mainstay of the national team, and the world number one, Sun Yingsha!

The final attracted the attention of the whole country. The center court was packed, and the media's cameras were all aimed at the arena.

This was considered the ultimate showdown between a "genius dark horse" and the "king."

Tony and the others were so nervous their palms were covered in sweat. Coach Chen also held his breath.

All the spectators, regardless of their previous attitudes, were now full of anticipation.

The course of the final exceeded everyone's imagination.

Lei Jun was not intimidated by Sun Yingsha's fame and strength. She stuck to her style of steady defense, counter-attacks, and control. Meanwhile, Sun Yingsha displayed the comprehensive technique and powerful offensive fire of the world's number one.

The two engaged in an epic duel. The multi-shot rallies were dazzling, and the transitions between offense and defense were lightning-fast.

Sun Yingsha's violent attacks repeatedly hammered at Lei Jun's line of defense, but Lei Jun's defense was like a reef in the deep sea—standing firm despite the crashing waves—and she always found openings to counter-attack, hitting stunning returns that left everyone in awe.

The match went to seven sets, with the score in each set being neck-and-neck and absolutely brilliant.

Finally, at a crucial point in the deciding set, Lei Jun took the winning point with an extremely bold and precise backhand change to a straight line!

With a total score of 4-3, she defeated the world number one Sun Yingsha and won the National Games women's singles table tennis championship!

The moment the champion was crowned, the entire stadium erupted!

The applause, cheers, and gasps of amazement were deafening!

Tony, Qin Yu, Lin Xiaoya, and the others all jumped up, hugging and cheering frantically, tears streaming down their faces!

Lei Jun was truly miraculous!!!

She actually defeated professional players and won the women's singles table tennis championship!!!

This was the National Games women's singles championship! The competition was incredibly fierce, even harder to win than a world championship!!

It was like a dream!

No, one wouldn't even dare to dream of something so far-fetched!

Zhao Ya clapped hard, her eyes filled with shock and pride.

The sisters Su Qing and Su Ya hugged each other in excitement.

Although Lei Ying and Lei Yue still didn't show much expression, their eyes were full of pride.