Chapter 57: The Super Player

“This afternoon, we’re going to have a real feast!” Zhu Di was the first to speak.

“Great!” The team members responded enthusiastically.

Just then, Yu Manman, having just finished a phone call, approached the group. “Someone’s treating us to lunch today.”

“The place is Langya Fortune Mansion at Imperial Plaza.”

“Meng Lang, you take everyone on the bus… Oh, and bring along the three basketball club managers.”

Before the team could even ask who was treating, Yu Manman turned and headed toward the entrance of the gymnasium.

There, standing at least 1.85 meters tall, a handsome man was waiting at the entrance, waving to Yu Manman.

“Could that guy be the coach’s boyfriend?” someone wondered aloud.

“I thought you said the coach was into women?” another chimed in.

“Besides, the coach is so fierce—who could handle her?” The team speculated wildly. Geng Haoshi, just as curious to know who could win the heart of their stunning 34E coach, suggested, “Why don’t we quietly follow and see for ourselves?”

Under Geng Haoshi’s ‘leadership,’ the team hurried—not so much quietly as at top speed—to the gym doors, just in time to see Yu Manman slipping into a gleaming yellow convertible sports car. The man took the driver’s seat, and with a roar, they sped away.

Although Geng Haoshi knew nothing about cars (he always focused on the women rather than the wheels), even he could tell this car was worth a fortune.

Zhu Di, who was much more knowledgeable about cars, remarked, “That’s a 2015 Lamborghini LP750-4 Superveloce. Even the base model costs over eight million.”

“Eight… million?” Geng Haoshi looked at the 5,000 yuan still clutched tightly in his hand and thought, Here we are, barely scraping by, while some people live it up in sports cars with beautiful women. This world is so damn unfair!

Grumbling aside, Geng Haoshi carefully folded the 5,000 yuan and tucked it into his pocket. “Let’s not just stand here. Time to get going.”

He called Yang Mimi and Li Shishi, while Zhou Xiaoshan notified Lin Ling. About eight minutes later, the team and the three basketball club managers met at the campus bus stop and boarded Bus 21 to Imperial Plaza.

On the bus, Lin Ling asked Zhou Xiaoshan, “Did you really see the coach’s boyfriend?”

Zhou Xiaoshan replied, “Yeah, we all did.”

Lin Ling frowned in disbelief. “That can’t be. The coach told us before she didn’t have a boyfriend.”

“How do you know he’s her boyfriend? Maybe he’s just her driver,” Li Shishi chimed in, wrapping her arms around Geng Haoshi’s (she insisted on sitting beside him), and said coyly, “It’s not like us—you can tell at a glance we’re a couple.”

The rest of the group broke into awkward laughter.

After about thirty-six minutes, they finally arrived at Imperial Plaza.

University campuses are usually located some distance from the city center, and Imperial Plaza was right in the heart of downtown.

Staring at the magnificent, dazzling buildings before him, Geng Haoshi couldn’t help but marvel, “No wonder it’s called Imperial Plaza. Just looking at this place, you know everything inside must cost a fortune!”

Zhu Di looked at him in surprise. “Don’t tell me you’ve never been here before?”

Currently in his sophomore year, Geng Haoshi had spent most of his freshman year holed up in his dorm, never once venturing downtown.

Li Shishi remembered how he’d once said he could barely afford to eat, and seeing him standing there speechless, she glared at Zhu Di. “Brother Zhu, we’re just students—there’s no need for us to come to places like this!”

She said it only to ease Geng Haoshi’s embarrassment—for she herself had been here many times, and always left with her arms full of shopping bags.

Indeed, Li Shishi was every bit the genuine heiress—a bona fide rich girl, though a bit short and not especially curvy.

They hadn’t walked far before four golden characters, seemingly suspended in midair, caught their eyes—Langya Fortune Mansion.

Two rows of golden stone lions guarded the entrance, and a long red carpet rolled out beneath their feet, radiating the aura of new money.

Langya Fortune Mansion stood at the very center of Imperial Plaza, a testament to its exclusivity.

Walking up the red carpet, they entered the restaurant. Not long after, a hostess led them to a private room where Yu Manman and the handsome man were deep in conversation.

“These are my players,” Yu Manman introduced.

“Excellent, they all look full of energy,” the man replied with a smile.

Yu Manman waved them in. “Don’t just stand there—take a seat.”

Everyone found a place at the table.

This grand restaurant was extraordinary—even the table was imposing. Seventeen people sat and there was still space left!

Gazing at the exquisite, luxurious tableware, Geng Haoshi swallowed hard. He thought, This set alone must be worth more than 5,000 yuan.

“And these three ladies?” the man asked Yu Manman.

“They’re the managers of our basketball club.”

“Wow, basketball managers!” He glanced around. “We never had that kind of perk back in my day—I’m envious!”

“Let me introduce you,” Yu Manman gestured. “This is Song Zhongji, a superstar player from Feizhi Basketball Club.”

Song Zhongji? Geng Haoshi thought. That sounds like a Korean name.

“I know Feizhi Basketball Club!” Xu Gaofeng exclaimed excitedly. “It’s funded by Feizhi Group—the club started by our senior Chen Zhi… Are you also a graduate of Tiancheng Polytechnic?”

Song Zhongji smiled. “I didn’t graduate from your university, but I am a big fan of your senior Chen Zhi. I grew up watching him play basketball.”

Zhu Di perked up. “So, are you on the national team too?”

Song Zhongji replied, “Not yet, but probably soon.”

None of the players were particularly familiar with the selection process for the national basketball team.

Yu Manman saw this as a teaching moment. “Generally, national team players are selected from various school teams—not only universities but also high schools. As long as a player’s talent is recognized by a national team scout, they have a chance to participate in the rookie selection tournament. Those who perform up to national team standards in the tournament get in.”

“As for those who aren’t spotted by scouts, they basically have no chance.”

“Unless…”