Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog-Chapter 558: Well, The Dogs Miss Kai

Lina and the rest of the team walked through the campus and couldn’t help but feel impressed about the renovations they made over summer break.

"This doesn’t feel like the Shizi High that I know," Jet said, shaking his head.

"I don’t know about you, but I would much rather have this than the fake grass we once had. I think it was made of toxic materials!" Andy exclaimed, now on his last year.

"Our gym took too long to get renovate, though," Lina muttered. "We’re only able to hold the tryouts now."

Shang sighed as they opened the gym doors. The smell of newly painted walls and polished wood filled the gym of Shizi High. However, in the middle was a mountain of papers scattered across the scoring table. Some were crumpled, some sliding dangerously close to the edge.

"It’s not like we could have conducted it last week. There are way too many applicants," Shang groaned.

Jet sat on the chair with a deep sigh. "So, what’s the count now?" he asked, twirling a pencil between his fingers.

Lina snatched the pencil mid-spin, glaring at him. "Seventy-four," she said, shaking her head in disbelief.

"Seventy-four?!" Shang exclaimed, his eyes wide. "Are we starting a basketball team or a cult?"

Coach Muchen, standing nearby with a clipboard, looked like he hadn’t slept in weeks. "If it’s a cult, I’m the first to quit," he muttered, rubbing his temples. "How many did you guys have last year?"

"Less than twenty, I believe," Lina muttered, making the situation even more ridiculous. How could it multiply at this rapid pace?

"I think half of those didn’t even want to tryout but did it anyway because Lina was pretty," Shang chimed.

Jinping, perched on the edge of the table, kicked his legs lazily. "Honestly, we should just make them play dodgeball. Whoever survives gets in."

Jet laughed, slapping the table. "Now that’s the energy. I like it. As the team captain, I suggest that we do exactly what Jinping said."

"None of you are helping!" Lina snapped, causing the boys to purse their lips and turn silent. She shoved a stack of papers toward Jet. "Do you know how long it took me to sort these by position?"

Jet picked up a random application and squinted. "This guy wrote ’professional benchwarmer’ under experience. I respect the honesty."

Shang groaned and ran a hand through his hair. "Why are there so many? Did someone put up posters in the boy’s bathroom?"

Jet raised a hand sheepishly. "Uh, yeah. That was me."

Lina froze, her jaw-dropping. "You what?"

"I thought it’d be funny!" Jet said, throwing up his hands defensively. "And, you know, maybe we’d find some hidden talent."

"Hidden talent?" Lina echoed, her voice rising. "What we found is half the school trying to join! And now we’re stuck sorting through this mess! I told you that we should only recruit those who have expressed their intention to us!"

"Relax," Jet said, leaning back again. "It’s not like we have to take all of them."

"That’s not the point!" Lina hissed, smacking the back of his chair so hard he nearly tipped over.

"Whoa, easy!" Jet yelped, flailing to regain balance.

Andy snickered. "Careful, Jet. You don’t want to be benched when you’re the captain, don’t you?"

Shang shook his head. "This is what happens when you let Jet have any responsibility. Next time, just let me handle it."

"Oh, please," Jet shot back. "The only thing you’ve handled is your carrots, potatoes, and cabbages."

Shang’s face turned red, but of course, he was still proud of his crops. "At least I’m not out here making us look like a joke!"

"Too late for that," Andy muttered, earning a glare from Shang.

"Can we focus?" Coach Muchen said. "The tryouts are in ten minutes, and we still don’t have a plan."

Lina pointed an accusing finger at Jet. "This is all your fault!"

"Hold on," Jet said, standing up. "If we’re blaming people, why don’t we talk about who brought Kai here in the first place?"

"Oh, here we go," Shang muttered, crossing his arms.

Lina’s eyes narrowed. "You mean me. I’m the one who convinced him to join."

Jet snorted. "Yeah, right. I was the one who told him we needed him."

"You told him?" Lina shot back. "I spent hours explaining to Yuze how he could be the fundamental of this team!"

"Star of the team?" Shang cut in. "That was because I was injured, and he took my position."

Lina turned to him, incredulous. "Oh, he would have still become the star player if you didn’t get injured."

"It’s still more than you did," Shang retorted.

"Excuse me?" Lina said, stepping closer.

Jet threw up his hands. "Everyone knows Kai joined because of me. I’m the captain, after all."

"Captain of bad ideas," Lina muttered under her breath.

"You want to say that again?" Jet challenged, leaning forward.

"I’d love to," Lina shot back, leaning in too.

Shang rolled his eyes. "Both of you need to calm down. Kai joined because I—"

"SHUT UP," Jinping said suddenly, slamming his hand on the table.

Everyone froze, turning to look at him.

Jinping, who had been quietly organizing the papers in the corner, glared at them. "I don’t care who brought Kai here. He’s not even here right now, and frankly, I’d switch places with him in a heartbeat."

Jet blinked. "What’s that supposed to mean?"

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Jinping gestured at the chaos around them. "It means I’d rather deal with a seven-foot European defender than this. Congratulations, you’ve officially made me miss Kai."

Andy smirked. "Ah, to be Kai right now and be away from this team."

"Shut up," Jinping said flatly, though the corner of his mouth twitched.

"Shut up," Andy echoed, mimicking Jinping’s tone.

Before anyone could respond, the sound of footsteps echoed from the hallway.

The applicants were arriving.

Coach Muchen sighed and straightened his clipboard. "Well, this is it. Try to act like a functioning team for five minutes, will you?"

Jet grinned, slapping Shang on the back. "You heard the man. Time to shine!"

Shang swatted his hand away. "Don’t touch me."

Lina pinched the bridge of her nose. "I can’t believe this is my life."

"I miss my boyfriend."