[+40 XP]

    [+9 Hard work points]

    [Current level: Legend (134/500)]

    "Top 8," Kai muttered as they left the Fire Court.

    He almost couldn't believe it.

    He thought he would only be able to reach such heights when he was in his second year or even third year. However, his team was so close to being champions.

    Yuze was right in front of June, and he saw how he was slightly limping. It wouldn't be obvious to the ordinary person; however, Kai had observed Yuze since the very beginning. He didn't walk like this.

    It made him wonder if he was truly okay.

    Just then, as they continued to walk, they came across the Yin Yang Knights.

    Coach Guanyu glanced at Yuze, and for a second, they made eye contact.

    Guanyu pursed his lips and hesitated. However, his paternal instincts won in the end. He stopped right in front of Yuze, causing the entire team to halt, too.

    Most of the Shizi Dogs, aside from Kai and the older players, were confused by what was happening. The Yin Yang Knights, with the exception of Max, also didn't know why their coach had stopped Yuze.

    In fact, a lot of them didn't know that the two were father and son.

    "I need to talk with you," Guanyu said.

    Yuze's face hardened, but he nodded in the end.

    With that, the two of them went to a private area, leaving the other players all alone.

    The Knights and the Dogs nodded to one another.

    "Congrats," Max said as he passed by Kai. "I heard you guys won."

    A small smile made its way to Kai's face. "When is your game?"

    "After lunch," Max responded. "Why? Are you going to watch?"

    Kai shook his head. "Nope, I need to train in the afternoon."

    Max scoffed in amusement. "Don't you think you're training too much?"

    "Nope," Kai repeated, causing the two to chuckle.

    Meanwhile, near the vending machines, the father-son duo were stuck in silence, not having conversed privately for a long time.

    Yuze cleared his throat, uncrossing his arms in front of his chest. "So?"

    "So?" Guanyu repeated, causing Yuze to sigh impatiently.

    "You're the one who called me here," he said in a serious tone.

    Guanyu clicked his tongue and finally said what was on his mind. "I heard you were injured."

    Yuze pursed his lips. "That's the reason why you called me here?"

    Guanyu massaged the bridge of his nose. "Answer me, young man."

    Yuze sighed once more. "It's just a sprain," he said. "I'm going to play in the next game."

    Guanyu clicked his tongue. "So, it's not serious?"

    Yuze shook his head.

    Guanyu sighed. "Then, why did I even call you here?" he muttered to himself, although it was heard by Yuze.

    Yuze felt a pang in his heart, but he ignored it. Somehow, it felt even more painful than the pain on his ankle.

    "Yeah, it's strange," Yuze bitterly chuckled. "You never even talked to me when we entered the Nationals. Why are you calling me now?"

    "Yuze," Guanyu sighed. "You're the one who became distant—"

    "Don't act like you care now," Yuze said, looking his dad straight in the eyes.

    "Especially when you haven't done so in a long while."

    And with that, Yuze turned away and left his dad.

    Guanyu watched as Yuze walked away, frowning when he noticed the slight lump of his son.

    On the other hand, as the Dogs made their way out of the court, Kai suddenly stopped. Since he was in front of the players, they, too, stopped.

    "What now?" Jinping asked.

    "Whose game is it right now?" he asked.

    "The Eagles," Lina responded.

    A small smile made its way to Kai's lips. "I'm going to stay," he said. "I want to watch their game," he excitedly said.

    Zheng Zhang was his favorite elite player, so he really wanted to stay back.

    Jinping groaned. "You still have the energy? I'm heading back to the hotel."

    "Me too," Renren sighed. "We won't even get to play with the Ying Eagles based on the rankings, so there's no need to monitor them."

    "I still want to watch," Kai smiled. "So, you guys go ahead without me."

    Lina was about to say that she would come with him, but Kai stopped her right away. "You should rest too," he softly said. "I knew you stayed up all night due to excitement."

    Lina playfully rolled her eyes. "Alright," she muttered. "I'll see you back in the hotel."

    Kai nodded and waved goodbye to his teammates before going to the Fire Court. On his way there, there were a lot of people who wanted to approach him. However, he hastened his footsteps, not giving them the chance to even get close to him.

    He arrived at the Water Court, and it definitely had more people than in the Fire court. He chose a discreet spot at the side of the bleachers, hidden from the public eye.

    There was no one beside him; however, someone suddenly occupied it.

    Kai frowned and lifted his head, only to be met with none other than Suzy.

    "Can I sit here?" she asked.

    Kai pursed his lips. "You're already sitting," he deadpanned.

    "Oh, you're right," she chuckled, leaning closer to him.

    Kai pursed his lips and focused his eyes on the court. The game had just started, and Zheng Zhang was already dominating the game. Even now, his work ethic hasn't changed. He truly was the most hard-working elite that he had seen.

    "You like him, huh?" Suzy asked.

    Kai nodded. "Yeah, I want to get to know him. I think there's a lot I can learn."

    "Well, I can introduce you to him," Suzy said, catching Kai by surprise.

    "You guys know each other?" he asked.

    Suzy nodded. "Yup. He asked me out once."

    Kai raised one eyebrow, causing Suzy to chuckle.

    "What? Is it that unbelievable? We met at a training camp last year. I'm actually pretty popular. So, it's really a shame that you're not grabbing the chance when I'm the one offering myself to you."

    Kai shook his head. "Suzy," he muttered. sea??h thё ηovёlFire .net website on Google to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

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    "I know," she chuckled. "I won't bother you...for now. I know you still have a lot in mind, especially with the Nationals. Anyway, Zheng and I are pretty close, so we can talk with each other after the game."

    Kai nodded, already excited. "Alright," he muttered. "If that's okay."

    Suzy nodded and went to watch the game once again.

    Kai was concentrated all throughout, looking for any noticeable skills that he could practice. However, by the second quarter, he felt the call of nature.

    "I'm going to the restroom."

    "Can I join?" Suzy asked, making Kai jokingly glare at her. She chuckled and nodded.

    "I was just joking," she chimed.

    Kai shook his head before walking to the restrooms. He quickly did his business and washed his hands on the sink.

    However, he wasn't expecting Rui to come out of one of the cubicles, his hands over his stomach like he had just taken one of the most relieving defecations in his life.

    He didn't bother glancing at Kai. However, there was something—an item that dropped out of his pocket—something very familiar.

    He tilted his head to the side as he grabbed it from the floor.

    Then, a small smirk made its way to his lips.

    "Hey," he said, causing Rui to frown and turn around. "You dropped something."