Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog

Two men, both familiar to each other, stood outside a park with donuts and coffees in their hands.

They placed the coffee on top of the bench in unison, capturing each other's attention.

Coach Yixing of the Xing Stars raised his eyebrows when he met gazes with Coach Ben of the Feng Foxes. They looked at each other's get-ups, looking suspicious with their matching windbreakers and snapbacks.

Coach Yixing cleared his throat and straightened his back.

"Coach Ben," he greeted, tipping his hat. "Fancy seeing you here."

"I could say the same to you," Coach Ben said. "I heard that you just got back from the training camp."

"We did," Coach Yixing responded. "We went to Beijing."

"Ah, that's a good place," Ben said. "My boys are also there."

Coach Yixing's eyebrows raised in surprise. "You didn't go with them?"

Coach Ben shook his head. "You already know. The boys prefer it if I'm not there. They play better among themselves. I'm more inclined to the management of the team."

"I see," Yixing muttered. "I'm assuming you're here for different reasons then?"

Coach Ben smirked and looked at the playing team on the court. They were from an unknown high school, and he couldn't see anyone worth stealing.

"Again, I could say the same to you," Ben said, turning to Yixing with a knowing gaze.

Coach Yixing raised his hands in surrender. "You got me there," he chuckled. "I've been looking for a new addition to our team since the start of the Winter Cup."

"Ah," Ben exclaimed. "As expected from one of the good schools. I bet Guanyu is already looking for new prospects. Although, the Yin Yang Knigts probably don't even need new players," he grumbled in a bitter tone.

Yixing shrugged. "Well, it's almost like a tradition. Some say that we're practically stealing from the poor, but we're just giving talented kids a better chance."

"You get it," Ben smirked, taking a sip from his coffee.

"Well," he continued. "Have you seen someone you're interested in?"

"Yes," Yixing vaguely replied.

"Same," Ben said, his gaze focused on the players.

Yixing cleared his throat, not really wanting to give a clue because he didn't want Ben to have the same idea.

However, he was also curious about Coach Ben's prospects.

Yixing pursed his lips and hesitated to speak.

"Mind sharing it with me?" he asked.

Coach Ben chuckled before shaking his head. "This is not a subtle way to ask me who I'm planning to recruit."

Yixing shrugged. "It was worth a shot."

The two of them spoke casually, but it was undeniable that there was tension between them.

For some reason, Yixing felt like Coach Ben wanted to recruit the same player.

"I have two in mind, actually," Ben elaborated. "I'm not sure about the other one. I'll probably recruit him if I'm not able to recruit the other player in mind."

"I only have one in mind," Yixing said.

The two of them stayed silent for a few seconds before Ben took the courage to ask the question that they were dying to find out the answer to.

"Which school is he from?"

"You first," Yixing said.

"No, you first," Ben countered.

The two middle-aged men looked like little kids with their counterproductive argument. Yixing, sensing their childishness, sighed deeply.

"Let's say it together," he said.

Ben clicked his tongue. "I can't believe I'm agreeing to this."

"Alright," he said in defeat, agreeing in the end. "In 3...2...1..."

"Shizi High."

***

The Shizi Dogs had just arrived at the field of their school, and just like fate, the Shizi Snakes also arrived around the same time as them.

Compared to the Shizi Dogs, the Shizi Snakes appeared like they had good rest, good food, and good accommodation. In short, the Shizi Dogs appeared like they were dying compared to them. Experience more content on empire

"It was fun," Jet said, sniffing as he felt a cold coming. "But why do I feel like donkey shit?"

Shang sighed. "Same...and I didn't even train."

Lina clapped her hands to capture their attention just as the van drove away.

"Listen up," she said.

The Shizi Dogs, despite feeling tired, listened to their team manager well.

"Tomorrow, we will have a rest day. However, starting the day after tomorrow, we will start training in the court," she continued. "I know that school still starts in a little over a week, but we need all the training we can get. I hope you understand."

"Got it!" Kai excitedly said, making Lina beam.

"Any objections?" Lina asked.

Jet raised his hand. "Can we go home now?" he asked, sniffing once more as he hugged his figure.

Lina chuckled and nodded. "We had a long week. Rest well, guys."

With that, the Shizi Dogs went to their respective homes, ready to get in some good hibernation.

Kai was also about to leave when he felt someone tap his shoulder.

He turned around and saw none other than Justin Liang staring up at him with wide, bright eyes.

Kai frowned in confusion as he fully faced him.

"Do you need anything?" he asked.

"Did you read my letter?" Justin giddily asked.

Kai was surprised. He didn't think that the well-respected captain of the Shizi Snakes could actually act as such.

"Yes," Kai answered. "But I have a question—why the heck did you decorate it with heart stickers?"

Justin shrugged. "It's what my mom had at home."

"Anyway," Justin continued. "It seems like you guys had a hard time with the training camp."

Kai shrugged. "It was good. I had fun."

"Oh," Justin muttered. "Well, did you consider my proposal?"

Kai shook his head. "Why would I want to join the Shizi Snakes?" he asked.

Justin looked at him with raised eyebrows. "Everybody in Shizi High wants to join the Shizi Snakes!"

"Not me," Kai said. "I don't know anything about football."

Justin's eyes widened. "But you had such a good kick! Your body and height are perfect for it, too."n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om

Kai pursed his lips before shaking his head once more.

"Sorry, Captain," he said. "I'm not that interested in the sport."

Justin sighed and massaged the bridge of his nose. He definitely thought that it would be easier than this!

Kai was about to leave when Justin held onto his biceps, causing the basketball player to halt.

"You have a lot of potential—and the basketball team is wasting that," he said. "You guys have the worst resources, and you don't even have a coach. Most of the time, Yuze doesn't even acknowledge your good plays."

Kai remained silent.

"Here at the Shizi Snakes, we'll make sure to help you reach your highest potential. You will become the star player someday. You're still in your first year, and I believe you could become like me."

"So...think about it."