Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog

"Thanks for driving Coach Muchen home, Dad," Lina said as her dad came back to the car.

Mr. Huang shook his head in amusement. "I didn't think your coach would get drunk after you won the game."

Lina chuckled. However, there was some underlying sadness in the way she laughed.

"I guess he's just happy. He's a good one. I think his presence also contributed a lot to our victory."

"That's nice," Mr. Huang said. "So, are you going to the Nationals already?"

"No," Lina responded. "Well, not yet, anyway. We still have to win the game with the Xing Stars, and then we're sure to go to the Nationals."

"Just one more game, huh? Then you'll play the Knights in the finals?" he asked.

"That's if they win the semis," Lina chimed.

"I think that's already certain," Mr. Huang chuckled.

Lina looked out of the dark skies and sighed.

"Well, I think your team can do it, kiddo," Mr. Huang smiled. "You've loved basketball for so long, and you're now the manager of a team that's going to the Nationals!"

Lina nodded and looked down at her hands.

Mr. Huang frowned as he glanced at his daughter.

"But why don't you look happy about it?"

Lina lifted her head and looked at her dad with wide eyes.

"What do you mean?" she asked. "Of course, I'm happy! It feels like all the suffering our team endured last year is being paid a thousandfold."

"Hmm," Mr. Huang hummed. "Your smile doesn't reach your eyes."

"I'm assuming that you're having trouble with the team?"

"No," Lina shook her head. "The team's doing fine. The training is great, too. They don't complain too much anymore."

"Then, is it about your grades?" he asked. "You're not a great student, but you're also not flunking. Did you fail one of your subjects?"

Lina shook her head. "My pride won't let me fail my subjects," she said.

"That's good then," Mr. Huang smiled. "Then, there's one more thing I can think of. Are you having any boy trouble?"

Lina's eyes momentarily widened. "No!" she exclaimed.

However, her dad had already noticed.

"Caught you," he said. "Does my daughter like someone?"

Lina clicked her tongue. "Why?" she asked. "Is that so bad? Are you going to ban me from having a boyfriend until I'm 30?"

"Well, as my only daughter, I feel compelled to do that to you."

Lina groaned.

"But," her dad quickly added. "I won't hate you for it."

"Just as long as the guy is good, then I'm alright, too. Of course, you still have to set some boundaries because you're so young. However, I won't forbid you when the time comes."

A small smile appeared on Lina's face.

Somehow, that comforted her a little bit.

However, her father's next words made her take back everything she just said.

"Just as long as it's not Kai Guo or any of his likes," he said, shaking his head as he remembered the troublesome kid.

"Kai?" Lina muttered.

"Yeah, that kid," Mr. Huang chuckled. "It's a good thing he hasn't been visiting the station since he joined the basketball team, but that kid is truly a headache."

"So, yeah. Just as long as it's not Kai, then we're good. How about Zeren, huh?" he asked, nudging Lina's shoulder.

Lina's face twisted into a grimace. "No way."

***

Kai woke up feeling more tired than usual.

It was Monday—the day people dreaded the most.

Kai wasn't an exemption. Although he enjoyed training for basketball, he didn't think that school or work should start so early.

He got up from his bed and checked his user interface right away.

[Current Mission: Be Early!]

[Being early pays well. Don't be late for school.]

[XP will be given based on the excess time that the host arrives at the classroom.]

[For example, Shizi High opens at 7:00 AM. The class starts at 7:30 AM. If the host steps foot into their classroom at 7:08, then he'll have 22 XP]

[10 XP will be deducted if the host arrives late, even for a second.]

With that, he had no choice but to head to the bathroom and prepare for school.

He went out of his room, ate breakfast, and made his way out of the house.

Grandma Bingbing narrowed her eyes in suspicion as she watched her grandson go to school so early.

"What's gotten into him? It's too early," Grandma muttered.

Meanwhile, Kai yawned as he saw Shizi High's gate from afar. He glanced at his worn-out watch.

7:07

"23 XP won't be too bad," he muttered.

It was getting harder to fill his XP since the standard kept increasing with every level.

As he arrived at the gate, he couldn't help but frown when he saw a familiar face.

Sir Dao, clad in his signature neon orange tracksuit, was already standing near the gates. Continue your saga on My Virtual Library Empire

"He's here so early?" Kai murmured.

He thought he only stood there to catch the latecomers. Kai shook his head in disappointment. He was looking forward to not being able to see his face, but it was no use.

Kai sighed as he entered the gates, not wanting to bring attention to himself.

However, that seemed to be an impossible feat, as Sir Dao called his name in an instant.

"Kai Guo!" he exclaimed. "Come here."

Kai stopped in his tracks but didn't face the old teacher.

Sir Dao clicked his tongue. "What did I say, boy? I said—come here."

Kai pursed his lips and finally faced him.

"Yes, sir?" he asked, trying to be polite. "I'm not late today."

"I could see that," Sir Dao said. "I almost thought I was hallucinating when I first saw you."

Kai softly sighed. "What do you want, sir?"

"You," he said with narrowed eyes. "Come with me behind that tree."

Kai's eyebrows furrowed as the old man went behind a large tree near the fences. He didn't know what had gotten into Sir Dao, but he also knew that it wouldn't bring any good if he didn't follow his instructions.

With that, Kai let out a deep breath and followed Sir Dao behind the tree.

Sir Dao's back was turned away from him, and then he turned around with a profound glare.

He brought his bamboo stick up and pointed to Kai's chest.

"You!" he exclaimed.

"What have you done to seduce my daughter?"