Lu Zhilan is a tennis prodigy and Lu Xia's older cousin. Zhilan was expected to become a professional athlete until a career threatening injury. With no other choice, she's forced to go to Germany for surgery and rehabilitation. She's been there for...
"Good morning, Lu Xia." Zhilan greeted as she joined her cousin at the outside table.
"Good morning." He mumbled.
"Are you going to practice today?" She asked as she noticed he was wearing a blue and white uniform.
He nodded. "Can we play when I get back?"
"I still need to be cleared by a doctor before I start playing again."
He looked a bit disappointed. "Okay, we'll play after you're clear."
She laughed at him. "Speaking of practice, I met one of your teammates yesterday when I went out."
"Which one?"
"He told me his name was Zhuo Zhi."
"He's also one of my seniors."
She hummed. "He seemed nice."
Lu Xia looked at her strangely and she raised an eyebrow at him in confusion. "What?"
"You actually talked to him? You don't like talking to guys."
"It's not that I don't like talking to guys. I just don't like talking to guys who flirt. Besides, he approached me first."
"Did you tell him we were cousins?" He asked.
"How do you think I know he's your teammate? It came up and he was surprised to know since you never talked about me." Zhilan crossed her arms and looked unimpressed at him.
He shrugged. "I'll talk about you when you start. I have to go to practice. I'll see you later."
She decided to follow him to the end of the stairs where a boy with a bicycle was waiting. He wore the same blue and white uniform.
Something about this uniform is really familiar.
"Huh? Lu Xia, who is this?" The boy asked curiously.
"Hello." She looked over at her cousin, wondering if he was going to introduce her to his friend or not.
"Qiao Chen, we should go to practice before we're late."
Brat.
"Can't you at least introduce me to your friend here? Hello, I'm-" Qiao Chen was cut off.
"Let's go."
Zhilan chuckled as her cousin dragged away the other boy and she waved at them. "Bye, have fun at practice."
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
Siyang was practicing with the tennis ball machine when regulars and non-regular players started arriving.
"You're early today." Zhuo Zhi said as he approached the captain.
"I know." He paused the machine and turned to his best friend.
"Is something wrong?" He asked when he noticed he was being studied.
"You seem a bit distracted."
"I'm thinking about the National Tournament."
Zhuo Zhi looked unconvinced. "I don't think that's all. You've been like this since you came back from Germany."
The speckled captain sighed heavily. He could admit he was distracted, but he didn't really want to talk it out. "I just have something else on my mind."
"Something?" The genius repeated. He suddenly remembered the mention of a friend from a few days prior.
"Or someone?"
Siyang said nothing else as he continued his practice.
Zhuo Zhi scoffed lightly. He was only slightly curious before. Now, he really wanted to know what was going on.
Oops! This image does not follow our content guidelines. To continue publishing, please remove it or upload a different image.
"Who was that girl?" Qiao Chen pestered Lu Xia as they ran around the court.
"Run laps, not your mouth." He responded.
"Don't be like that! Come on!"
He ran faster to avoid the sophomore's incessant questioning. It still didn't discourage him from trying to find out. "How come I haven't seen her around before? Does she go to another school?"
Lu Xia huffed in annoyance. "She's new. She'll be here on Monday."
"A new student? What grade will she be in?"
"Twelve. Shut up and run."
They finished their laps and sat down to rest, but Qiao Chen still wouldn't relent. "What's her name?"
"Whose name?" Jiale chirped as he walked over to the pair.
"It's nothing." He answered quickly. He didn't want to hear the questions that would follow from revealing Zhilan. He wanted to keep her a secret before she drew the attention of every boy in school. He loved his cousin and he really hated people bothering her.
"There was a pretty girl at Lu Xia's house when I waited outside for him. He won't tell me who she is."
This got the senior's attention. "Oh? A girl?"
"You'll meet her on Monday. Stop bothering me." The younger boy complained.
"What's so important over here?" Zhuo Zhi joined the group.
Lu Xia's eyes widened as he remembered that he knew about Zhilan. He internally hoped that he didn't say anything.
"Qiao Chen said there was a mystery girl at Lu Xia's house."
Zhuo Zhi snickered as he remembered a new girl that he met. "You mean his cousin?"
He glared at his senior who simply looked entertained.
"Cousin? You have a cousin? Why didn't you tell us? How come Zhuo Zhi knows?" Jiale rattled off quickly.
Before he could protest against any questions, he was interrupted by a stern voice. "Why aren't you practicing?"
The boys turned to their stoic faced captain.
"Run twenty laps."
The younger boys grudgingly began their laps with the exception of Zhuo Zhi, who was smiling.
"What's funny?" Siyang asked blankly.
"You'll see." He ran off to start his laps.
Author's Note
Zhuo Zhi really likes bothering people lol. This chapter was mostly centered around the team. Lu Xia is a lowkey protective boy. I hope you enjoyed the start of the chaos! Don't forget to vote or comment. - Violet
