The Inferno

The buzzer echoed through the arena, signaling halftime. The Chinese team jogged toward their bench, sweat dripping from their brows. 

China: 45

France: 50 

The once insurmountable gap had been reduced to just five points.

The crowd buzzed with energy, half in disbelief, half in awe. Spectators leaned over the railings, their eyes fixed on China's bench as they tried to decipher the source of this miraculous comeback.

At home, Caishen sat frozen on the couch, surrounded by the rest of the Shizi Dogs. It had become their ritual to watch each game of the Global Games that involved the Chinese team. 

Lina mentioned rotating through their homes. They didn't expect their country's team to have come this far, so it was Caishen's turn. He actually turned out to be pretty loaded. 

As he continued to watch the game unfold, his mouth hung open, an unfinished bag of chips cradled in his hands.

"What…is this?" he muttered.