Chapter 16: Formal Team Member Selection

One week has passed since Ito came to the Tennis Club to cause trouble.

Dealing with this kind of bully who picks on the weak and fears the strong, Jiecheng Wu chooses to scare him in one go, giving him no chance.

As expected, after that day they never saw him near the Tennis Club again, since the current Budongfeng has no Hengshan to back them up.

After a doctor's check, Ping Minchun's injury was not serious; after bandaging and a few days of rest, he recovered.

What pleased Jiecheng Wu was that, through the match with Ito, Ping Minchun regained confidence in tennis.

In subsequent intra‑team practice matches, he played noticeably more proactively, and his skill rose a level.

Moreover, faced with Ito's intimidation, the first‑year newcomers united in resentment and stood up for Ping Minchun.

This not only moved Ping Minchun, but also increased the goodwill of the other Tennis Club members.

So although the first‑year newcomers had only just joined, they got along very well with the second‑year members.

The Tennis Club's cohesion grew little by little.

"Watch the rhythm of your breathing, adjust your footwork!"

"A tennis match requires not only speed but also tests the players' endurance!"

"Yes!"

Seeing Shenwei Ming start to gasp and his steps become erratic, Jiecheng Wu immediately pointed out the problem.

As the captain, he now also bears the coach's responsibilities.

Jiecheng Wu moved around several courts, observing the newly joined freshmen.

Shenwei Ming, Yiwu Shen Si, Shitian Tie

These future second‑year regulars of Budongfeng were still among the new freshmen; only Ju Jiping had not yet transferred.

He silently judged their training conditions in his mind.

"Among them, if anyone could become Budongfeng's third main pillar in the future, it should be Yiwu Shen Si."

On the court, Yiwu Shen Si was sparring with a second‑year senior.

His deep‑blue hair swayed lightly with his steps, and his agile figure made him stand out in the crowd.

Facing several attacks from the opponent, his handling was deft; he not only returned the balls effortlessly but also placed them precisely where he wanted.

"He's yielding to the opponent; beneath that cold exterior hides a gentle heart."

Jiecheng Wu nodded silently, then suddenly spoke.

"Shen Si, return the ball seriously!"

Hearing the captain's order, Yiwu Shen Si froze for a moment, then a flash of light flashed in his eyes, and his swing speed instantly increased by twenty percent.

Bang!

A crisp sound rang out; the senior couldn't react in time, and a streak of light shot from the baseline.

He stared in place for two seconds, then, rubbing his head, shouted at Yiwu Shen Si in surprise, "Didn't expect you to be this good!"

Even though the newcomer easily scored, he showed no sign of anger; his tone even hinted at surprise.

The current Budongfeng and the former Budongfeng are worlds apart.

In the evening, when club activities ended.

"Everyone, wait a moment!"

Jiecheng Wu suddenly called back the departing crowd and announced news everyone had long awaited.

"To prepare for the May regional preliminaries, in three days the Tennis Club will hold a formal team member selection match."

"All Tennis Club members may sign up, including first‑year newcomers!"

The moment the words finished, the quiet court instantly became noisy, and the first‑year newcomers were extremely excited.

It turned out the enrollment claim was true!

They had thought it was just a recruitment gimmick that would never be implemented, but they didn't expect they actually had a chance to become official members.

Know that for other clubs classmates join—basketball, soccer, etc. —they can only take part in official matches starting in the second year.

As for clubs that allow first‑year members to become official, they had never heard of any.

The newcomers' hearts ignited instantly; such an opportunity must not be missed!

And those who had played tennis competitions in elementary school were already rubbing their fists, eager to start competing right away.

Not only were the newcomers thrilled, even the second‑year seniors felt a surge of enthusiasm.

They could only pick up balls in first year, and only after Hengshan was dismissed did they, encouraged by Jiecheng Wu, start wielding rackets.

After this period of training, everyone was already impatient to join the competition.

Once the selection day was set, the members who had planned to go home noisily dropped their bags, grabbed their rackets, and rushed onto the court.

Bang bang of hits, clack clack of footwork, hum ha of shouts

Under the sunset's afterglow, the court was a scene of blazing activity.

In the three days that followed, every Budongfeng Tennis Club member poured one hundred percent of their enthusiasm into training.

Everyone hoped to appear on the May competition stage.

Soon, the three days flew by.

On Saturday morning, only Tennis Club members were in the school.

Jiecheng Wu stood before the crowd, watching the twenty‑seven on the court stand in neat rows.

Among them, eight were second‑year seniors, and nineteen were first‑year newcomers who had just joined.

Counting himself, Budongfeng Tennis Club now had twenty‑eight members, all present.

The court was very quiet; everyone waited for Jiecheng Wu to announce the start.

And Jiecheng Wu got straight to the point.

"This selection match will use a group round‑robin format."

First, we draw lots to form groups, dividing the twenty‑eight people into four groups, each group of seven will start a round‑robin elimination tournament.

The top two in each group will become official members and will compete in next month's regional qualifiers!

That's all!

Jiecheng Wu took in the clamor below with his eyes.

The so‑called seven‑person round‑robin elimination in each group means that every person in the group must compete against the other six, and the final rankings are determined by points.

This selection method is relatively fair; it prevents two top players from meeting early, where losing a single match would eliminate one's chance at a regular spot.

However, this format is rather cumbersome, as each person has to play six matches.

Fortunately, Budongfeng currently has only twenty‑eight members; if the Tennis Club expands later, this selection method can no longer be used.

First step forward to draw lots; after drawing, go to the corresponding court to prepare for the match.

After Jiecheng Wu finished speaking, he was the first to draw a lot, and it boldly bore the number 1.

He also intends to join this selection; only by winning can he earn the qualification as an official member.

As the architect of the system, Jiecheng Wu must step forward to uphold this rule.

Seeing that Jiecheng Wu had already finished drawing, everyone else also stepped forward one by one to draw lots.

I am Court No. 2!

Shenwei Ming raised his lot and laughed at the nearby Shitian Tie.

The two of them are in the same class, so they are naturally more familiar with each other than with the others.

Hearing that, Shitian Tie helplessly opened his own lot.

I'm also on Court No. 2.

Both being on Court No. 2 means he and Shenwei Ming will compete together for the two spots in Group 2.

One of them might end up without a regular spot.

Shitian, bring it on! I'm going to crank the pace to the fastest!

Seeing Shitian Tie's hesitation, Shenwei Ming loudly invited him to battle, dispelling his doubts.

The two then exchanged smiles, their eyes flashing with surging light and battle intent!

Meanwhile, Yiwu Shen Si clenched his lot tightly by his side.

His eyes stared straight at Jiecheng Wu, who stood at the front.

One round, plus the previously missing round, owes everyone two rounds.

(End of chapter)