Chapter 14: Tennis Club Recruitment (Part One)

After school in the afternoon, only a few people remained in the classroom cleaning.

Jiecheng Wu was among them; today it happened to be his turn for duty, specifically tasked with wiping the windows.

Amid the creak‑creak sounds, the dust‑covered glass windows were wiped clean and bright by Jiecheng Wu with a damp cloth.

He looked down through the window; on the campus paths, members of various clubs were bustlingly handing out flyers, promoting their sections to the freshmen.

So Jiecheng Wu immediately quickened his pace, planning to lead the club members later to carry out the Tennis Club's recruitment activity.

The Tennis Club now urgently needs new members.

Since that report was released, Budongfeng Middle School has been fully exposed to public view and bears pressure from all sides.

The former principal Ouchi Seijiro was the first to be removed, and the parachuted‑in Suido Masanaga took his position.

After Shuidao Zhengzhang assumed power, the first thing he did was hold Coach Yokoyama accountable, thoroughly investigate everything the coach had done, and finally force him out of Budongfeng Middle School.

In addition, he conducted an in‑depth investigation of the numerous bullying incidents that had occurred in the Tennis Club.

Before the graduation ceremony, those senior‑year bullies had already received the appropriate punishments.

But because of this, the Tennis Club, already not well‑reputed, became even more odiously infamous in the minds of Budongfeng students.

Many Tennis Club members, unable to endure the campus gossip, suddenly chose to quit.

Now the Budongfeng Tennis Club has no coach, and only nine members remain, all of whom are last year's first‑year students.

The position of club president is temporarily held by Jiecheng Wu, overseeing the Tennis Club's daily activities.

On the surface, the Tennis Club's condition has indeed deteriorated to the extreme.

But in Jiecheng Wu's eyes, the current situation is moving toward a better direction.

The Tennis Club has only nine members; think that's too few?

No!

There used to be many, but how many truly love tennis?

The few who remain in the Tennis Club now, even under their classmates' strange gazes, are unwilling to give up tennis.

In terms of love for tennis, each of them can match ten of those from before.

Think the Tennis Club's reputation is bad? Its public image poor?

No!

Tennis relies on skill; competition results will prove it.

As long as the Tennis Club can produce results, these idle rumors will naturally fade over time.

"The crow should become a phoenix."

Jiecheng Wu watched the bustling school, a flash of sharp light flashing in his eyes.

On the tennis court, a dozen or so freshmen are lining up to apply to join the Tennis Club.

Tennis truly lives up to being the world's most popular sport; even with the Budongfeng Tennis Club's terrible reputation, people still sign up.

Ping Minchun happily handed out membership application forms.

He is one of the few remaining members of the Tennis Club, and seeing freshmen apply now fills him with great joy.

"When filling the form, read carefully; don't omit anything.

If you participated in any competitions during elementary school, remember to write them on the form."

He announced the form‑filling instructions aloud.

"From now on, Budongfeng will speak only through strength; no matter who you are, you have a chance to become a formal member."

"Really? Does that mean I can too?!"

Hearing this unexpected news, Shenwei Ming's eyes lit up instantly, and he asked excitedly.

"Of course." Ping Minchun nodded very affirmatively.

"As long as your skill meets the standard, you can become a formal member.

This is the rule set by our president and will never change."

"Great!"

In an instant, the freshmen who came to register all became excited.

They originally came just with a try‑it‑out mindset.

Although they love tennis, if the Tennis Club truly is as rumored, they would decisively leave.

But everything before them is clearly different from what the classmates claim.

The atmosphere on the tennis court instantly became lively.

"Unbelievable, is the Tennis Club really this lawless now?"

At that moment, a mocking voice came from outside the court.

Yi Teng, who fought in last year's rookie tournament, walked toward the court, followed by six tall men.

Seeing the group appear, Ping Minchun felt something ominous.

The visitors are not friendly!

These people are members who left the Tennis Club last year; they haven't been on the court for a long time, and now they appear deliberately during recruitment, surely nothing good.

Coincidentally, the others have gone to hand out flyers.

Ping Minchun's heart pounded, but seeing the freshmen behind him, he forced himself to step forward.

The current Tennis Club absolutely will not allow you to act recklessly!

"Yi Teng, what are you doing at the Tennis Club?"

Hearing Ping Minchun's question, Yi Teng's face showed an exaggerated surprised expression.

"You call me Yi Teng?"

"Seeing senior..."

Don't you remember when we were picking up balls on the court before, how I properly 'guided' you?

Ito shook his head pretentiously, his words full of teasing and mockery.

Looks like the Tennis Club is really going downhill.

Saying that, his gaze swept over the crowd.

Where's Jiecheng Wu? How come the Tennis Club president isn't here?

The president is out recruiting new members; if you have nothing else, please don't interfere with my work.

Ping Minchun looked at Ito's pretentious posture and immediately recalled how the Tennis Club used to be in utter chaos, and his anger flared up.

But to avoid causing a scene in front of the freshmen, he still restrained the anger in his words.

There's something going on—how could there be nothing?

Ito shook the tennis racket in his hand, his face full of teasing.

I originally wanted to ask the Tennis Club president for some guidance, but since he's not here, you'll have to spar with me instead.

Ping Minchun flatly refused.

It's recruitment time now—please leave!

He pointed outside the court and shouted loudly.

I'm saying, you wouldn't be scared, would you?

Ito looked scornfully at Ping Minchun before him.

A Tennis Club member actually afraid to play a match against someone else?!

He immediately bent over laughing, and a few people behind him joined in with unrestrained laughter.

Hearing that mocking laughter, Ping Minchun's face instantly turned grim.

You bunch of bastards!

He could no longer contain his anger, grabbed his racket and shouted.

Fine! I'll play you—if you lose, please never show up at the Tennis Club again!

Hearing Ping Minchun agree, Ito straightened up, cracked a grin, and revealed a vicious smile.

Let me see just how strong the Tennis Club is now.

On the court, the two faced each other from a distance.

Ping Minchun took his stance, locking his gaze firmly on Ito opposite him.

Because he was exerting too much force, the fingertips of his hand gripping the racket turned white.

He wanted to make that bastard understand that the Tennis Club now is not something you can provoke!

Ping Minchun senior, go for it!

Among the freshmen, Shenwei Ming cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted loudly, paying no heed to the several fierce looks from the third‑year students nearby.

From the earlier conversation, he had already figured out the situation—that guy named Ito is no good.

(End of chapter)