Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog

Zheng tilted his head to the side. He didn't understand what Kai had meant. However, in the back of his mind, he felt as if he had met Kai before.

He frowned and pointed at the younger player.

"Suddenly, you seem very familiar," he said with narrowed eyes.

Kai smirked and shook his head. "I highly doubt that," he said. "Maybe I remind you of someone."

"Hmm," Zheng hummed. "Maybe you do," he muttered.

"It's really strange. You told me the words I needed to hear—almost as if you knew I had been feeling this way since the beginning. Tell me—is this really the first time we've met? "

Kai shrugged. "Well, we've met multiple times now since the league started."

Zheng shook his head and let out a sigh. "Hmm," he muttered. "I would have remembered meeting someone like you."

Kai chuckled and stretched his limbs. The two of them were standing now, but they didn't make any effort to leave.

"To answer your question seriously," Kai started off. "This isn't the first time I've seen you. Like I said when we first met—I admired you as a player. Frankly, in the high school scheme, I could call you my idol."

Zheng's eyebrows raised in surprise. "You're a fan? And I'm the idol? "

Kai shrugged. "Yeah," he said. "Even before you became a part of the Elite Five, I was already a fan."

Zheng clicked his tongue. "You've got to be kidding me, Kai," he said, taking the younger player by surprise.

"What are you saying so suddenly? "Kai asked with a small frown.

Zheng shook his head with a small smile. "I've watched you play, and I'm pretty sure you're already better than I'll ever be."

Of course, Kai couldn't believe it. He knew he was better than the three other Elites, but Zheng was someone who worked hard for more years than he did. There was no way!

Zheng saw the skepticism in his eyes, so he nudged his shoulder. "I mean it," he said.

"I've watched you play, and honestly, I didn't want to admit it at first. However, now that I'm out of the league and graduating soon, I can say that you're the only one who could really take down Jian."

That surprised Kai even more. Read new chapters at My Virtual Library Empire

"Really? "Kai asked, looking genuinely taken aback. The second-ranked Elite, someone with boundless potential, was saying this to him. He'd never expected that. "Why would you think that?"

Zheng paused, searching for words. "Look, I don't have all the answers. I don't know Jian's limits, but I don't know yours either. You're... I don't know, Kai. I really don't know. However, what I do know is that I'll watch your game and root for you."

Kai shook his head in amusement. "You sound pretty confident. You really think I can do it? "

Zheng nodded. "I do," he said. "But then again, nothing is a hundred percent in this world. We never truly know until the day has come."

Kai clicked his tongue. That was what he was afraid of the most. He was pretty confident going into the past games. However, in his eyes, Jian was still mountains ahead of him.

"Then," he started off. "Do you have any tricks for me? Do you know the way to beat Jian? "

Zheng looked at him seriously, then he gestured for him to come closer. Kai's eyebrows furrowed, but he did what he was told.

He waited patiently for the answer, but all he felt was a pat on his back. "Of course not," Zheng chuckled. "If I knew, then I would have beaten him by now."

"I thought I knew before, but look at me now! I genuinely have no clue."

Kai clicked his tongue. "Gee, thanks. You're a great help."

Zheng smiled. "I know I am. Anyway, you still have two days to think about it. Try to dig deep on how you can beat Jian."

"For now, though, I think you need to settle something with a certain someone."

Kai blinked, confused. "What? What are you talking about? "

Zheng smiled knowingly and pointed behind him. Kai turned, following Zheng's gaze, only to see Lina standing just outside the metal fence surrounding the court, her eyes bright and wide, watching him.

Kai's surprise melted into a warm smile.

"Looks like someone wants to talk to you," Zheng murmured, giving Kai a slight nudge. "Guess you've got it all, huh? A chance to beat Jian... and a pretty girl by your side."

Kai glanced back, but Zheng had already started walking off, leaving him to figure things out for himself.

Zheng shook his head as he walked off the court. "Gosh. I've been beaten in two aspects by that kid," he muttered. "Must be nice."

Kai chuckled softly, turning back to Lina, who hadn't moved from her spot.

"Lina," he muttered, about to go to where she was.

However, before he could take another step, she ran towards him, crossing the court's distance in seconds.

His eyebrows raised in surprise. Well, that was fast for someone who had leg issues. He internally scolded himself for even thinking such in that moment.

However, he had no time to even think about it because the next thing he knew, she was in his arms, wrapping him up in an embrace that felt stronger than any he'd known.

Kai held her tightly, grounding himself in her warmth.

"What's all this?" he asked, still taken aback by her sudden gesture. Lina only squeezed him harder, which made butterflies erupt in his stomach.

It always felt like this with Lina. Although they merely considered themselves as friends, Kai always felt special with her.

"You alright?" he softly asked, patting her shoulder. "Why did you come all the way—"

Before he could finish his statement, she pulled back just enough to meet his eyes, rendering him speechless.

And then, without another word, she leaned forward, her lips meeting his in a kiss that was both gentle and full of emotion.

Kai's eyes widened in surprise, but he closed them, wrapping his arms around her waist as the world seemed to fade around them.