Daily Life in the Countryside After Being Reborn-Chapter 218 - 25: The Two Heartthrobs (Part 2)

"This is what you call defense? Can’t even guard a single ball, just scurrying around like a rat in the gutter," not far away, a red basketball was thrown onto the ground, Wang Ke frowned, his eyes full of mockery. She is not like Bai Xue, going easy on feelings. Since the coach asked her to "practice" with Zhang Yiyi, that’s what she’ll do – a direct 1-on-1, first to score three points wins. Whoever makes three baskets first, wins.

Zhang Yiyi thought she had a decent foundation and she wasn’t much different in height from the other girl. Recalling the numerous difficulties imposed by Wang Ke when joining the basketball team, she promptly accepted the challenge. Little did she know, Wang Ke was quite the figure in the middle school basketball team, with quick and ruthless moves. When fighting for the ball, she would forcefully collide with an elbow or shoulder.

The veteran players nearby just watched and didn’t say a word to help. Zhang Yiyi didn’t dare to retaliate and could only dodge. As a result, Wang Ke made all three shots and Zhang Yiyi didn’t even get a chance to take the initiative to control the ball.

"Captain, look at this, look at this. I don’t know how these two got recruited. We have a friendship match against Shunde Middle School in December, to prepare for the middle school basketball competition next spring. With these two newbies, how can they play? They’re simply trash." Wang Ke was more energetic when scolding than playing ball, poking Zhang Yiyi’s forehead with her finger. Zhang Yiyi had never felt so humiliated, and she was about to fight back immediately.

Wang Ke was not to be outdone, giving a cue to the few riling veteran players, and it looked like they were about to start scuffling.

"Enough," said not Bai Xue but Zhu Xiaoxian, who stood beside her and was deemed one of the "nepotism hires." Seeing this, Bai Xue’s heart skipped a beat, and she pursed her lips.

As the captain, it’s not just about being skilled; it’s crucial to be able to manage the team’s relations at critical moments. It’s not uncommon to see veteran players bully new ones, and new players form cliques. But this year is a bit different; Ni Shahe looked favorably upon the two new players, which didn’t go unnoticed by the dozens in the team. Moreover, with only two new players, their skills and strengths are indeed not outstanding.

If Bai Xue were to side with anyone, she could only offer temporary help and not a lifelong solution. Once she graduates and leaves the team, the conflicts within would only intensify.

Wang Ke’s behavior was indeed provocative, but not completely unreasonable. The friendship match in December coincided with the first assessment test for the ninth grade. Bai Xue, among other veterans, wouldn’t be able to play, so a few substitutes and even new players would have to be deployed.

At that time, Wang Ke would be a starting player, and it was very likely that the new players would be on the bench as substitutes. After much consideration, Bai Xue chose to first observe the performance of both sides.

Bai Xue’s silence only fueled the old players who were ostracizing the newcomers, and four or five of them circled around, separating Zhu Xiaoxian and Zhang Yiyi.

"What’s wrong with being a rat? When a mountain rat really gets fierce, it can gnaw your bones clean. Yiyi is tired today; I’ll compete with you," Xiao Xian was not intimidated by the few tall and burly veteran players around her and challenged Wang Ke.

"Captain, aren’t you going to intervene and help mediate?" One of the substitute players couldn’t stand it any longer and spoke up.

"A match is good; knowing where everyone stands is beneficial for all. Sacred Heart Middle School is full of fierce competition; they can’t survive in the team just under the coach’s protection. Recognizing this reality is better for both sides," Bai Xue didn’t understand where Zhu Xiaoxian got the courage to challenge Wang Ke, the team’s second-in-command.

"Let’s compete then. Just don’t run to the coach crying afterward. You? You’re not even qualified to pick up my balls," Wang Ke got excited. Bullying this type of newbie was the most satisfying thing for her. If Zhang Yiyi had some strength, then for Zhu Xiaoxian, who is a complete novice when it comes to dribbling and shooting, to challenge her was simply humiliating herself. free𝑤ebnovel.com

"Wang Ke, don’t go too far," Bai Xue couldn’t bear to listen to Wang Ke’s words filled with disdain. Once you’re in the team, even if you find each other disagreeable, you shouldn’t openly express it anyway.

"Don’t worry, captain, I’ll let her shoot three times. If you make one basket, I’ll let both of you play in the friendship match. But if you lose, then you also have a chance to win. If you can’t make a single shot, then leave the basketball team," Wang Ke became more and more arrogant, acting as if she had the authority to decide who gets to play.

"Xiao Xian..." Zhang Yiyi broke free from the hold of the veteran players around her and stood with Xiao Xian, mumbling.

"What’s the matter, ready to throw in the towel? If you wanna give up, then just do it, spineless loser," a few of the old team members seized the chance to heckle.

"Don’t worry," Xiao Xian reassured Zhang Yiyi, who snapped back with a glare, "Who said we’re giving up? I meant to say that a three-point difference is not enough; it should be at least five points." With Xiao Xian’s shooting technique, it would be quite good if he could make two out of five shots.

The basketball court fell silent for half a minute before Bai Xue coughed and positioned herself at the center of the court, taking on the role of the referee, "Wait a moment," Xiao Xian spoke up again.

"You’ve got to be kidding, five points is still not enough?" Even the substitutes felt that the demands of the two new players were a bit much.

"The number of points doesn’t matter," Xiao Xian stated righteously, "I just want to ask, if she doesn’t make a single basket, how should we count that?"

Wang Ke doesn’t make a single basket? The very idea that the vice-captain of Sacred Heart Middle School wouldn’t score a single point sent the entire gymnasium into an uproar of laughter.

At the entrance of the gymnasium, a group of male students ascended the stairs, overheard the commotion, "What’s going on? Wasn’t it arranged for us to borrow the gym from the junior department for special training?" The tallest among them suggested it sounded a bit familiar.

"We had it arranged with the junior department’s boys’ basketball team. Judging by the noise, it must be the girls’ team. The coach and captain must have returned; they’re probably having an impromptu training session. Let’s just come back another day; Bai Xue, the she-gorilla, can be really domineering. We don’t want to be chased out by her and lose face, Little Mao," said a tall and skinny guy with an earring, dressed in an Adidas basketball uniform, looking quite handsome.

"Let’s go take a look. I’ve heard that this year’s junior department girls’ basketball team is pretty skilled, capable of clinching this year’s Beijing middle school girls’ basketball championship," the tall student, after hearing the nickname ’Little Mao,’ threw a warning glare at the smirking earring guy and led the way upstairs.

**

The update is late, my apologies.

I went to a sports meet this morning and almost ran myself to death. I was shivering on my way back and couldn’t catch up with the update.

Climbing back, I found my little recommendation ticket is gone, the transparent Fu Zi has taken off.

People taking off need comfort, asking for Fan Tickets. The competition for new book Fan Tickets is fierce this month, it’s genuinely maddening,

asking for support, really no joke, dear friends, throw your free recommendation tickets my way.

Promise if I get them, I’ll write like crazy over the weekend; expect an explosion next week.

This morning in the race, even grandpa outran me, the damned all-inclusive sports meet! A poor soul without a ranking begs for all sorts of consolation. ~(To be continued. If you like this work, feel free to visit Qidian (qidian.com) to cast your recommendation ticket, monthly ticket. Your support is my greatest motivation.)

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