Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog-Chapter 566: The Women’s Team Is Scary

They turned silent when the doors creaked, revealing the other athletes. The basketball team stiffened, and the younger players seemed to be affected by the veterans' words.

Except for Kai, of course.

He loved interacting with new athletes now! He sat at the edge of his seat and looked for people he recognized.

"Oh, that's the girl who became iconic for her shooting pose!" he exclaimed.

"And the other girl who was very nonchalant after winning bronze," he muttered. "She's so cute. I want a little sister like her."

Jian turned to Kai and shook his head. "He only gets excited about sports-related things."

"Kai has such a pure heart," Jaw-Long said, clasping his hands in front of his chest.

Kai even failed to notice that they stood out like a sore thumb! Not because they were particularly noticeable but because it seemed like everyone else was intentionally avoiding them.

From the get-go, it was clear the other athletes didn't register their presence. A few glanced their way, and every now and then, hushed whispers reached their ears.

"They have high school players now?"

"I don't know what the committee is thinking. They're doing their best to revamp the basketball team, but it hasn't worked. Frankly, I don't think it will work this year, too."

Muyang pursed his lips as he heard their chatters. He was about to stand and confront the men's volleyball team, wanting to tell them they weren't any better, but Caleb held him back.

Aside from pitiful whispers, though, there was something else that the athletes—especially the young ones—were talking about.

"Did you see him?" one girl whispered to her friend, stealing a glance at Kai. "The one in the middle with the sharp jawline. I like him a lot, actually!"

Kai didn't notice this. However, Jimmy thought the whispers were for him. He crossed his arms in front of his chest with a smug grin.

"Clearly, they're talking about me," Jimmy murmured to Jian, who rolled his eyes.

"Yeah, because you're so irresistible," Jian deadpanned.

Jimmy nodded. "I was born with everything. I can't help it. It's not like I chose to be born this way."

Max shook his head. "You're making it really hard for me to like you."

Jimmy merely held his chin higher, feeling more confident. However, that crumbled down when a new group of athletes entered.

It was the diving team—their lean, muscular builds and confident strides showing dominance. With more than ten gold medals to their name, they were one of the most celebrated teams in the facility.

One of the divers, a tall guy with a mischievous grin, caught sight of the basketball team and nudged his teammate.

"Hey, check it out. The high schoolers are here."

"High schoolers?" his friend echoed, glancing over with a smirk. "Oh, yeah. That's the basketball team, right? Cute."

The divers chuckled, amused by their own joke. Dong bristled but held his tongue.

"Relax," Jaw-Long whispered, placing a hand on his arm. "They're not worth it."

Next came the swimming team, their arrival marked by a display of synchronized movements as they made their way across the hall. It seemed like it was in their instincts to move together now.

Known for their impeccable discipline and numerous accolades, they didn't bother hiding their disdain as their eyes swept over the basketball team.

"Basketball players, huh?" one swimmer said loudly enough for them to hear. "They look so adorable now that they've got high school students with them."

Another swimmer laughed. "Yeah, I bet they're great at passing water bottles."

The basketball team exchanged glances. Max clenched his fists, but Kai shook his head, silently urging him to stay calm.

Then, the room fell silent.

All heads turned toward the entrance as the most intimidating group of athletes arrived: the women's basketball team.

The veterans felt shivers run down their spines, and they quickly looked away, not even wanting to spare them a glance.

It wasn't like they were afraid of them!

Why would they? They were bigger, stronger…

However, as soon as Ziyi Wang, the 32-year-old team captain who had a reputation for being stronger than most men on the court, made eye contact with them, the 'big and strong' men all turned silent.

The basketball team held their breaths as the women approached.

"Don't be so stiff," Ziyi said, her deep voice carrying a hint of amusement as she looked them over.

Marcus sat rooted to the spot, his mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.

"Oh, he's in love again," Dong muttered.

Kai, however, managed to pull himself together. Stepping forward, he bowed deeply. "It's an honor to meet you. I'm a big fan of your team, especially yours, Captain Wang. You're incredible."

The others watched Kai with wide eyes. How can he speak to their greatest enemies?

Ziyi raised an eyebrow, a small smile playing on her lips. "Well, aren't you polite?"

One of her teammates laughed. "He's adorable! I could just pinch his cheeks."

Kai straightened, his ears burning red.

The older basketball players couldn't believe it. Did they just call him cute?

Another teammate, a tall woman, leaned closer to Kai. "You know, if you weren't so young, I'd—"

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"Hold it," Jaw-Long interrupted, stepping forward with a stern expression. "He's a minor."

Kai, not wanting to seem weak, quickly interjected. "I'm going to turn 17 soon!"

The women's team burst into laughter.

"Still a baby," one of them said, ruffling Kai's hair.

"So young," Ziyi added, shaking her head. "But I'll give you this, kid—I like you. You should consider leaving this team."

Kai smiled sheepishly, grateful for the praise despite the teasing.

"You know," Ziyi continued, placing her hand over his shoulder.

Kai felt honored to be held by the greatest team captain of the women's basketball team!

Marcus, on the other hand, was not amused. "Her too?"

"The basketball team might actually become popular because of you," she concluded.

Kai was about to smile, but her next words made halted the action.

"But," she continued. "It would still be a long way before the basketball team earns a medal."

"So, good luck, I guess."