Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog-Chapter 432: The Game’s Viewers

Unfamiliar.

That might be true for most people.

The Huolan Guardians, despite being a famous team due to Fang’s elite status, hasn’t made it into the Nationals for four years. Although the local league in Beijing was relatively famous, it wasn’t as wide-scale as the Nationals.

So, in the end, most players didn’t know much about the Guardian’s playing style. The Shizi Dogs weren’t an exception to that.

However, Kai was a whole different story.

Kai knew the Guardians even more than they knew themselves. As a big fan of basketball who couldn’t play before, he lived vicariously through them.

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In short, the Guardians were very familiar territory.

Nina and Rolan turned to each other with nervous expressions.

"I don’t feel so good," Nina said, placing her hands over her stomach.

"I heard that line before," Rolan muttered. "But same. The Huolan Guardians seem too relaxed, while the Shizi Dogs are way too nervous."

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Nina nodded, and the two of them focused their gazes on the court, appearing as nervous as the Dogs.

Meanwhile, in Shizi High’s court, the principal decided to hold a public viewing for all the games that the Shizi Dogs would be playing.

In the span of weeks, the ’Shizi Dogs’ became his prized possession despite overlooking the team for years.

"Come on in," he greeted with a face-painted dog on his right cheek. Plenty of the locals came in, wanting to watch the game in the ambience of a court.

Bao and the second-string didn’t miss out, of course. They were in the first row, along with some teachers, who talked about the Dogs as if they were the ones who had raised them.

"I knew they were going to make it. Yuze’s dedication since he was in his first year was unmatched. I believed he wanted it more than anyone else."

"Yuze’s a good student, too."

"The other boys are also sweet! Andy gave the teachers some cupcakes during the last day of school."

"I’m glad Renren came back, too. That kid always loved studying and playing basketball."

"I think we really need to praise Kai. We thought he would bring nothing but trouble into our school, but he has brought the greatest pride to our school."

"Isn’t he in the top ten of his grade, too? That’s amazing since he attends practice every afternoon."

Sir Dao pursed his lips as he listened to the other’s testimonies. The way they talked about Kai—it seemed like he wasn’t too bad of a kid.

And maybe Sir Dao agreed to that. However, he wasn’t going to admit it out loud! Why would he admit that he had a lapse of judgment?

Just then, Dylan turned to Sir Dao with one eyebrow raised. "I thought you didn’t like the Shizi Dogs, sir?"

The old man sighed and crossed his arms in front of his chest. He didn’t answer, but Dylan assumed that he had grown to like the Shizi Dogs as time passed by.

Just then, screams were heard from the television, rendering the filled court silent.

"It’s starting!" Bao exclaimed, and it made the others pay more attention to the screen.

"Welcome, everyone, to this highly anticipated match between the Shizi Dogs and the Huolan Guardians! This is it, folks. The game that decides who moves on to the semi-finals!" Hailey’s voice crackled through the speakers."

"And, man, do we have a matchup today!" Kevin chimed in. "It’s been years since the Guardians made it this far, and for the Dogs, it’s a first. So much on the line, Hailey. So much intensity. You can feel it in the air."

The two rookie commentators were clearly new to the game, their energy and excitement pouring into every sentence. But the crowd didn’t mind. They were just as hyped.

"To the left, we have the Huolan Guardians," Hailey continued, her voice rising. "Fang Liu, the ace; Jade Ting, their talented newbie; Jackson Huong, a defensive wall; and Henry Lao, the powerhouse. Together, they’ve clawed their way back to the top after failing to enter the Nationals last year."

"And on the right," Kevin cut in, "we have the Shizi Dogs! This team has taken the season by storm. Leading them is Kai Guo, who’s gained quite the following. A rising star, for sure. With him are some serious talents—Andy, who’s deadly from the three-point line; Renren Zhou, a giant of a point guard; and Jinping, the team’s defensive beast.

And let’s not forget their captain, Yuze, who’s been pushing through that injury from their last game against the Giants."

"I don’t know about you, Kevin, but seeing Yuze back on the court… I can’t help but admire his determination. His injury looked brutal, but here he is."

In the VIP suite, more and more teams arrived.

Calvin saw the Ying Eagles, taking them by surprise. He walked to where Zheng was and shook his hand.

"You’re going to watch this game?"

Zheng nodded and sat beside them. Their teammates turned to each other and bowed in respect before taking their respective seats.

"This is the first time I’m seeing you in the Dogs’ game."

Zheng chuckled. "I’ve watched them," he said. "Only for a bit, though. I’m quite curious about how they’re going to handle the Guardians."

"Ah, right," Calvin muttered. "Those Guardians are your biggest competitors in Beijing, right?"

"Hmm," Zheng hummed. "But I’m also here to watch the Dogs. I particularly want to see how Kai handles them."

Calvin’s eyebrows raised in surprise. "You’ve met?"

A meaningful smile appeared on Zheng’s lips.

"Yeah," he muttered.

Meanwhile, across them, the Juren Champions got up from their seats except for Chaoxing. He turned to his team with furrowed eyebrows.

"You guys don’t want to watch the game with me?"

Jian sighed. "We agreed to only watch up until the Eagles’ match. We’re all tired."

Chaoxing clicked his tongue and gazed at the younger players, only to find them hiding behind Jian while avoiding his gaze.

Chaoxing’s eyes narrowed before sighing in defeat. He didn’t want to watch the game all alone.

"You guys are no fun," he muttered before standing from his seat.

Jimmy clicked his tongue. "Let’s go."

With that, the Juren Champions exited the court. However, Chaoxing stopped for a second and looked back at the court, where the players were now making their way in the middle.

"Such a shame," he muttered. "I feel like I’ll be missing out if I don’t watch this game."