Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog

"Cute?" Jet exclaimed as they settled in the space before the exit. "That guy just called you cute?"

"I mean, you are quite cute," he added, stroking his chin. "However, you're more handsome than cute."

"No, homo."

Renren clicked his tongue. "You're going off-topic. I think what he meant by that was Kai's cute-sized."

"Oh yeah," Jet chuckled. "That's what I meant."

"But Kai is cute, though," Lina absent-mindedly said, causing the players to turn to her with raised eyebrows.

Her eyes widened when she realized what she had said.

"I meant," she nervously chuckled. "Kai is cute-sized compared to them. That's why he said it."

"Even if," Kun said, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "He didn't have to say that to Kai's face. It's rude!" Experience more on My Virtual Library Empire@@novelbin@@

Jinping chuckled. "I'm sure you're offended because you're even shorter than Kai. If he's cute-sized, then what are you—a midget?"

Kun glared at him. "Shut it! You're shorter than Kai now."

Jinping's cheeks reddened. "Only by a few centimeters!"

Yuze clicked his tongue. "Anyway, don't be fazed by those guys. I heard that they're more talking than taking action. So, I believe we're better skill-wise. As long as we—"

Just then, screams were heard from the Land Court, halting their conversation.

"What's going on?" Andy asked with a frown.

The others were clueless. However, it didn't take long for Andy's question to be answered.

"Move!" a paramedic exclaimed as they carried a player from the team opposing the Giants on a stretcher.

"It hurts!" the guy exclaimed as he clutched onto his knees.

"Don't move," the paramedic said. "We need to immobilize the limb to prevent further complications."

With that, the paramedic straightened his limb, causing him to scream in pain.

The Shizi Dogs watched the scene before them with wide eyes. The young player continued crying as he was carried out of the court.

The Shizi Dogs were stunned and silent for a couple of minutes after witnessing such a scene.

"More talk and less action, huh?" Jet muttered.

Yuze pursed his lips.

"Well, I'm not Dylan. My information isn't always accurate."

***

The next day.

"Jimmy, son," Mr. Wang said through the phone. "Today is your last game, right?"

"Yes, Dad," Jimmy responded. "We're preparing for it already."

"I see. I see," he muttered. "Are you guys undefeated?"

Jimmy smirked. "Of course," he said.

Mr. Wang chuckled in amusement. "That's my boy. Well, I just called to ask if you fixed your sister's flight problem?"

"Yes," Jimmy said. "She'll be here by the quarter-finals."

"That's good," Mr. Wang said. "I would do it myself, but you know your dad is very busy with the Nationals. The end of the school year is coming soon, too, so there are a lot of things to prepare."

"I understand," Jimmy muttered. "I actually also wanted to ask you something, Dad."

"Go ahead," Mr. Wang said. "But don't take too long. You need to prepare well for your game."

"It would be quick," Jimmy said.

Mr. Wang waited for his query.

"My rank," Jimmy said. "I'm getting near, right?"

Mr. Wang froze as soon as his son said those words. Ashley, who was listening in on their conversation because her boss liked to put his calls on speaker mode, also stiffened.

"Dad?" Jimmy asked, causing the older man to snap out of his thoughts.

"Of course," he said. "Just keep it up. By the end of the league, you would be able to do it. Make sure to keep your team's undefeatable status."

Jimmy smirked, glancing at Jian, who was stretching his legs. With him in their team, they were bound to be undefeatable.

"That's no problem," Jimmy said. "Anyway, I have to go now. The game's starting in three minutes."

"Good luck, my son!" Johnny Wang greeted before turning off his phone.

Then, he immediately turned serious as he focused his gaze on Ashley.

The pretty assistant gulped, already knowing what to do. She pulled up the list and looked for Jimmy's name.

"What's my son's rank right now?" he asked. "Is he getting closer to the top five?"

Ashley cleared her throat before nodding. "Yes, sir," she cheerily said, hoping it would lift his mood. "He's currently in the 12th spot, sir."

"Hmm," he muttered, stroking his chin. "And that other first-year student?"

Ashley choked on air. That was the question she didn't want him to ask.

"Jimmy is really doing well. If he proceeds with this, then he would be able to make it into the Elite Five by the end of the year when the other players graduate," she said, trying to divert the topic.

However, Johnny's eyes narrowed in suspicion. "You didn't answer my question."

"And that's not good enough. Jimmy needs to make it into the top five, even with the graduating students on the list. You already know what's at stake for this, right?"

Ashley nodded.

"Now, tell me where that Kai Guo stands."

Ashley let out a deep breath before responding.

Mr. Wang frowned. "Speak louder," he grumbled.

Ashley cleared her throat. "Tenth," she said, much louder this time.

Mr. Wang tilted his head to the side, inserting his pinky finger into his ears and acting like he was cleaning it.

"Pardon," he said. "I thought you said that Kai Guo just made it into the top ten players of all high school basketball players just now."

Ashley pursed her lips. "I did, sir," she courageously said. "Kai Guo managed to crack into the top ten. They just won another game a few minutes ago, and he scored 48 points in total."

"48 points?!" Mr. Wang exclaimed. "Is that possible?"

"Yes, sir," she said. "The highest score that a high schooler had done is from Jian Niu."

"What is it? What is the highest score?" Mr. Wang asked, standing from his seat, appearing like a madman.

He couldn't believe that a nobody—one from a smaller school had beaten his son!

Not only that, but he scored that many points in one game.

"50, sir," she muttered.

"Jian Niu scored 50 points in their game with the Keystone Giants last year."