“Teacher, he’s really talented. I’ve seen it with my own eyes,” President Zhang defended himself with a weak voice.
The elder’s name was Pan Heng. He was famous for being stubborn. Furthermore, as the former president of the basketball association, with a reputation for being strict. Although he had retired, his name was still well known to the public. This sudden spot check shocked everyone in the association. Everyone was shaking, not daring to even breathe.
“What kind of talent does he have to turn you into this?!” Pan Heng was triggered. “I’m old but not senile. How come you’re the seemingly senile one now? Luckily I came over today. If this contract was signed, it would be a huge joke!”
“You see what’s written on this?” Pan Heng flipped open the contract. “Exemption from training? Payout as usual? The full privilege of a professional athlete? Only required to be present for each competition?”
Smack!
Pan Heng once again slammed the table. He was beyond words. His eyes bulged, as though trying to humiliate Zhang He to death with his stare.
The other players were also stunned. They exchanged glances with a gleam of dissatisfaction in their eyes.
Just then, they just only realized how ridiculous the contract sounded as Pan Heng read aloud the contents. They slowly looked up in surprise.
That contact was too unbelievable. As another human being, how can the treatment be so different between them?!
Finally, one of the members stepped forward. With his head raised, he announced loudly, “Coach, reporting in!”
That person was the basketball team’s captain, Qian Sen.
Zhang He frowned slightly. “What’s the matter?”
“I object!” Qian Sen announced clearly. “This contract is unfair to us!”
“I object as well!”
“That’s right, me too!”
With the captain at the lead, the others quickly joined in, each voice louder than the previous one.
“Zhang He, do you see? If you do this as a president, you can’t lead!” Pan Heng lectured sternly.
Ring ring ring!
Right at that moment, Zhang He’s phone range. The caller was Ye Lingchen.
He had walked around the inner area of the stadium for some time. After passing through several hallways, he finally found the basketball association practice room. However, commoners were barred from access as they required an ID card.
After a short call with Ye Lingchen, Zhang He immediately made his way out.
“Hmph, such arrogance for him to require the president to personally welcome him!” Pan Heng harrumphed, then followed Zhang He out.
He wanted to see for himself if this person was as legendary as he was told!
Very quickly, Zhang He was already outside. He greeted Ye Lingchen with a smile, “Student Ye, welcome.”
“Hello, President Zhang.” Ye Lingchen smiled while he stole a glance at the elder beside Zhang He. He could feel a great sense of animosity from him. Coughing lightly, he asked, “This is…”
“He’s our association’s former president, and also my teacher—”
“I’m Pan Heng!” Pan Heng harrumphed, cutting Zhang He off. He measured up Ye Lingchen, then turned around and left with a disappointed look in his eyes.
Height, average. Build, average. He did not seem to have the physique of an athlete. No matter how Pan Heng looked at him, it was a sore sight in his eyes.
“Student Ye, my teacher has his quirks. Please don’t let it weigh on your mind. I’ll start by giving you a tour of our association.” Zhang He gave an awkward smile, then led Ye Lingchen into the association.
The inside was separated into two floors. It was spacious and clean.
The first floor had three full-sized basketball courts for players to practice anytime. On the second floor was the meeting room, changing rooms, and other administrative rooms. There was an elevated walkway for them to observe the training on the first floor.
Ye Lingchen calmly followed behind Zhang He while ignoring the countless stares of animosity he received. During that time, the former president Pan Heng was also tagged along. His eyes occasionally looked at Ye Lingchen, as though scanning him with some laser vision out of science fiction, then followed by a harrumph while flipping his head upwards.
‘This is a very arrogant old man.’ Ye Lingchen silently made a mental note of the former president.
“President Zhang, that’s enough.” Ye Lingchen stopped in his tracks, then calmly continued, “Since I won’t be here for practice most of the time. Let’s just get the contract signed.”
Celestial Bane’s results ignited his passion. He could imagine a huge wave of popularity rushing towards him. Since people were sending him gifts, he should return quickly and churn out more chapters.
“Of course, the contract is not an issue.” President Zhang carefully stole a glance at Pan Heng.
“Hold it!”
Pan Heng shouted, his breathing became ragged and heavy, being unable to breathe smoothly. “Zhang He, you’re a major disappointment! Are you still unrepentant?!”
Following that, he stared at Ye Lingchen with a gleam in his eyes, “What’s your specialty?”
“Specialty?” Ye Lingchen smiled, “Quite a few. I wonder, which aspect are you talking about?”
‘Multiple specialties? You sure are a braggart!’
Pan Heng sneered, “Of course I mean those related to basketball. Jumping, shooting, height, explosive power, and so on! What are you good at?”
“They are all my specialty,” Ye Lingchen answered without a second thought.
“Insolence! Nonsense!” Pan Heng’s anger meter was running at full capacity throughout the day, to the point that he thought he might explode. “Our association does not welcome you. Please leave!”
Ye Lingchen frowned, then headed towards the exit without a word.
He would just consider this a wasted trip.
Originally he was here out of respect for Zhang He and also to collect some popularity. However, he was met with animosity and leers the moment he stepped foot through the door. Furthermore, he was sent away by the former president of the association. For him, there was no point in joining the basketball association!
Ye Lingchen did not mind as he had other ways to gain popularity. He was no longer an inexperienced kid. He would not bear such injustice against him.
Seeing Ye Lingchen almost out of the door, Zhang He’s face turned red from anxiety. He dashed forward shouting while holding the contract, “Student Ye, please wait. The contract is prepared beforehand. You only need to sign here!”
Zhang He ran like the wind, fearing this little precious prize flying out of his reach. He held onto Ye Lingchen and looked at him with a deeply sincere look in his eyes. “Student Ye, I’m sorry. Can you have a look and see if this contract is okay for you?”
Ye Lingchen speedily read through the contract and nodded with just a glance. “That’s fine. Do you have a pen?”
“Here’s a pen!” Zhang He eagerly took out a pen, rushing for Ye Lingchen to sign the contract.
“Zhang He! You’re crazy! Stop it right now!” Pan Heng was trembling anxiously. His eyes were bloodshot, shouting hoarsely, “Do you know what you’re doing? Do you look like a president?!”
However, Zhang He ignored those words with a determined look on his face.
Ye Lingchen flicked his hand and casually signed his name, getting ready to leave.
“Hold it!” Captain Qian Sen stepped forward, glaring at Ye Lingchen with his fists tightly held, “Based on what qualifications are you signing this kind of contract? I challenge you!”
“I refuse!” Ye Lingchen looked at him calmly, “You’re not worthy!”
With that, he made for the exit…