Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog-Chapter 564: First Day Fight

A young man clicked his tongue in annoyance as he looked down at the wheelchair he was forced to sit in.

Well, he wasn't really forced on it, per se. He just needed it.

"I can't get used to this," he muttered under his breath, wheeling himself down the narrow hallway of the orphanage in Beijing.

It was the first day of school, and for the first time, he wouldn't be walking on his own two legs.

The faint smell of incense drifted from the chapel where the nuns were gathered. He made his way there, his wheels squeaking slightly with each push. When he entered, Sister Li, the one with the perpetually stern yet motherly face, turned to him with a warm smile.

"Ah, young man," she said, her hands pressed together in a prayer-like gesture. "Are you ready for school?"

The young man gave her a deadpan look. "As ready as someone can be when their only weapon is rubber wheels and sarcasm."

Sister Li sighed, crossing her arms before stepping closer. "Come here. Let's pray for strength, wisdom, and patience...though I suspect you'll need more of the latter."

She gently placed her hand on his shoulder and murmured a blessing. "Remember, young man, don't let them bully you, alright?"

He smirked. "The Lord forgives self-defense, doesn't He?"

Sister Li raised an eyebrow, her lips twitching in amusement. "Yes, but not too much self-defense. Leave some forgiveness for tomorrow."

"Got it," he said, grabbing the lunch bag she handed him. He couldn't help but chuckle under his breath.

Just how much of a pushover was this guy before that they had to warn him like this? He seemed to be doing quite well now, though.

He entered the bus, where all the other children in the orphanage were. Fortunately, they took the nuns' teachings well, so they treated the young man with respect.

Some even waved at him, causing him to smirk.

He was at the very front, looking out of the window.

After a while, he finally arrived at his school. It was supposed to be his last year, apparently, but with everything that happened, he had to go back to his second year.

The public school loomed large in front of him.

As he wheeled himself into the schoolyard, he could feel the stares like a swarm of mosquitoes. The students whispered amongst themselves, their eyes flickering toward him with varying degrees of curiosity, pity, and amusement.

"Fresh meat," he muttered under his breath, rolling his eyes. He'd seen this act before. New school, new students, same hungry looks. They were like wolves circling a rabbit.

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He maneuvered through the crowded hallway, wheeling around clusters of kids until he found his classroom. The room was noisy, filled with the usual first-day excitement.

As he rolled in, the chatter dimmed, and all eyes turned to him. He ignored the stares, parked himself at a desk at the very end, and leaned back in his chair.

"Look at him," someone whispered, not-so-quietly."He's so pitiful."

He cast his eyes to his lap, his expression carefully neutral. He could almost hear the gears turning in their heads.

An easy target, they must be thinking. Vulnerable. Weak.

And then the expected happened.

"Hey, wheelchair boy!" a loud voice called from the entrance of the classroom.

He glanced up, meeting the sneering face of a boy who clearly thought he was hilarious. The kid strutted toward him, his group trailing behind like obedient shadows. "What's the matter? Legs not working?"

The class erupted in awkward laughter. His fingers tightened around the armrests of his chair, but he kept his gaze down, letting the words roll off him like water on a duck's back.

The boy clicked his tongue at Kaiden's lack of reaction.

"You know," the boy continued, "I heard they're letting anyone into schools now. Even—"

His head snapped up, his dark eyes locking onto the boy's with a glare. The room went silent.

"This is so annoying," he muttered. Why did he have to go through this on his first day?

Without warning, the young man swung a fist upward. His knuckles connected with the boy's stomach, sending him stumbling backward. The class collectively gasped.

"The Lord forgives self-defense," Kaiden whispered to himself, shaking out his hand.

Despite his weak body, he still packed a punch!

The boy doubled over, clutching his stomach. His friends didn't move, their mouths hanging open as they stared at the boy in shock.

"Holy crap," someone whispered. "This guy is good."

The young guy smirked inwardly but didn't let it show. He knew better than to let his guard down. He might've been quick with his fists, but there was only so much he could do in a wheelchair. His legs might be useless, but he wasn't stupid.

Before anyone could say another word, the door swung open, and the teacher walked in. She scanned the room with narrowed eyes. Her eyes landed on the scene—the bully hunched over, one sitting smugly in his chair—and her eyebrows knitted together in suspicion.

"What's going on here?" she demanded.

No one answered.

The teacher sighed, her gaze moving to their clothes where nameplates were attached.

"Kaiden Tian," she said

"And…Zhou Wei. Both of you, to the office. Now."

Kaiden groaned, muttering under his breath. "Great. The first day, and I'm already a criminal. I thought this life would be different, at least."

He glanced at Zhou Wei, who was still catching his breath.

The class watched them leave, their wide eyes following Kaiden. As he wheeled himself out, he couldn't help but think how different this life was compared to his old one.

Back then, in another body, another life, he wasn't the underdog. He wasn't pitied.

He was Kai Guo—the Mad Dog.

Well, to be fair, he was pretty pathetic, too—he always got into fights and gave his grandma a headache.

But then again, he was still Kai Guo once! The same Kai Guo who was now surrounded by athletic beauties and playing alongside legendary players.

Oh, to be in his old body again.

As Kaiden rolled down the hallway toward the principal's office, he smirked to himself.

"Kai Guo must be having a field day," he muttered. "Lucky bastard."