Chapter 14: Returning to the Bench Once Again

Even with Ning Zhou's limited knowledge beyond volleyball, he had heard of the Yu Corporation—

The largest domestic sports brand in terms of product scale.

Snowboards, rollerblades, swimming goggles, volleyball knee pads...

If it was sports equipment, Yu Corporation had its hand in it, and for many categories, their products stood among the very best.

In his past life, Ning Zhou and Yu Bai had spent five years together on the national team, and he’d never once heard that Yu Bai was from the Yu family.

If it hadn’t been for Ning Zhou coincidentally joining the show with his sister this time, Yu Bai probably wouldn’t have brought it up himself...

“Wait, that can’t be right...” Nie Feiang frowned, completely puzzled. “I remember the media reporting that the president of Yu Corporation has a son and a daughter, both basketball players!”

Ning Yang nodded, analyzing, “Yu Tong is with the women’s national basketball team, just retired last year, but isn’t Yu Bai here playing volleyball with us?”

Yu Bai seemed uninterested in the conversation, sipping water before he replied, “I play basketball too. If this training camp goes well, I’ll specialize in volleyball in the future.”

Nie Feiang slumped in his seat, eyes glazed, muttering, “So Yu Bai really is one of the heirs to the Yu brand...”

Chen Wenyao was equally shocked, thinking it over gravely before hesitantly asking, “So if you don’t do well in volleyball or basketball, you’ll have to go home and inherit the family business?”

Yu Bai swallowed a mouthful of water heavily, his expression turning serious and gloomy. “Yeah...”

“Don’t look so troubled!” Nie Feiang pounded his chest and stomped his foot, lamenting, “You don’t know how lucky you are!”

Ning Yang swallowed his envy. “Brother, if you don’t want this blessing, give it to us—we’d gladly take your place!”

“...Don’t be like that,” Ning Zhou made a time-out gesture. “If you really took over such a big company, you probably wouldn’t even have time to play games.”

“Forget that, then,” Ning Yang declared decisively.

Suddenly, Yu Bai turned to stare fixedly at Ning Zhou...

“?” Ning Zhou pointed at himself, raising a brow in confusion.

“...” Yu Bai silently looked away, his posture growing much more formal.

Ning Zhou: ...Utterly baffling!

While they discussed the “Yu Corporation,” the match on the court had reached a fever pitch.

In terms of raw skill, Garry’s selected players were superior; in terms of teamwork, Ning Xu’s group training approach gave his side a slight edge.

After five hard-fought sets, Deputy Coach Ning’s team scraped out a narrow victory in the tiebreaker, winning the group match 3-2.

Nie Feiang squeezed his eyes shut and sighed, “We lost, damn it!”

“It’s fine!” Chen Wenyao patted him on the back in comfort. “Look on the bright side—even if we’d won, any middle blocker who played in the same set as Ning Zhou wouldn’t have had good stats...”

Nie Feiang thought it over and felt much better. “You’re right, Chen! Curse you, Zhouzhou!”

Ning Zhou: ...

When did Nie Feiang start calling him “Zhouzhou” too?

After the match, the coaches discussed briefly before gathering all the players for a post-game summary.

Everyone’s hearts felt as if a feather were tickling them, making them itch with anticipation.

They all knew the main event was finally here—

The first spot on the national team—who would it go to?

“Do you think they’ll pick Ning Zhou as MVP?”

“I think Du Jun has a better chance. After all, the coaches decide together, and Deputy Coach Garry and Assistant Hou definitely favor scorers!”

“But what if Deputy Coach Ning pushes for Ning Zhou?”

“If Ning Zhou is the first to make the team, it’d be ironic—most people were just gossiping about his connections a few days ago, and now he’d slap them all in the face...”

“I don’t mind either way. Ning Zhou’s sets were great in the first set, and Deputy Coach Garry swapped out all the middle blockers, but none could read his play style.”

The whispers drifted into Ning Zhou’s ears, sounding as if from far away...

In his previous life, Ning Zhou had barely made the national team, his name only appearing on the roster at the very last moment.

Back then, he’d been one of the hardest workers in the coaches’ eyes. Could this more easygoing version of himself really make the team early this time?

Ning Zhou stared blankly at the floor, blinking a few times to clear his mind—

Whatever happens, happens. If he was lucky enough to make the team, he’d obediently be a substitute. If not, he’d look for a job teaching kids volleyball—as long as he could get by...

“Now, I’ll announce the best player from the group match!”

Coach Luo unfolded a crumpled sheet of paper.

“According to the statistics recorded by the assistants, the coaches have decided to award Du Jun from Deputy Coach Ning’s team as the best player!”

For a moment, the court was silent, then applause broke out.

Everyone congratulated the most senior veteran, their gazes filled with admiration and envy...

Ning Zhou clapped with all his might, sincerely happy for Du Jun.

“As expected, they picked an attacker. Choosing Du Jun is something almost everyone can accept.”

“He’s highly efficient at scoring, the top scorer on Deputy Coach Ning’s team, well deserved!”

“Yu Bai and Du Jun had similar scores, but if Deputy Coach Garry’s team had won, Yu Bai would’ve gone straight to the main team...”

“Yeah, Yu Bai was smashing the ball like crazy—he was really eager for this chance!”

Ning Zhou’s clapping slowed as Yu Bai’s words suddenly echoed in his mind—

‘If this training camp goes well, I’ll specialize in volleyball.’

If he didn’t make the national team after this, would he give up volleyball altogether?

Ning Zhou rose on tiptoe, tilting his head to look for Yu Bai.

A tall player blocked his view, and all Ning Zhou could see was Yu Bai’s tightly pressed lips—disappointed, but not resentful...

“Congratulations, Du Jun. From now on, I hope you’ll lead the team as a veteran and help build a squad that’s always improving!”

Coach Luo said the usual words, then coughed lightly, his smile turning meaningful:

“As promised, besides joining the main team, Du Jun also gets to choose which assistant coach’s squad to train with. Du Jun, would you like to join Deputy Coach Garry’s team, or stay with Deputy Coach Ning?”

The group fell silent, waiting for Du Jun’s answer—

Garry was a high-priced coach hired by the association; everyone hoped to learn different techniques from him. Ning Xu, meanwhile, was Coach Luo’s old partner, highly experienced.

It was a tough choice...

Du Jun pondered a moment, flexed his knee, and said, “After my surgery, I’ve been following Deputy Coach Ning’s training, and it’s worked well for me. I’d like to continue with his methods.”

“All right, you’ll stay with Deputy Coach Ning’s squad. Go rejoin your team!”

Coach Luo glanced at the time, raised a hand, and announced, “Great job today, everyone’s worked hard. Dismissed early—rest up this afternoon!”

“Yes, sir!”

...

That afternoon was the first recording session for the variety show “Onward, Athletes!”

Ning Zhou hesitated for a few seconds about what to wear, then realized his wardrobe only contained sports gear.

He casually picked a pullover and cropped athletic pants, standing in the shade outside the gym, waiting for the show’s contact to pick him up.

Bored, Ning Zhou passed the time doing finger exercises.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed someone standing nearby, motionless like a statue...

“?”

Ning Zhou turned to look at the person—about two meters tall, most likely one of the men’s volleyball trainees, with a suitcase at his side and an air of melancholy about him.

Sensing Ning Zhou’s gaze, the person lowered his head, and their eyes met—his own small and dazed, with freckles across his nose, lending a somewhat cute look: “...”

Ning Zhou felt so awkward he stopped his finger exercises. “Uh...hey, are you with the volleyball team too? You’re going home just for one afternoon off?”

“Uh...no...not exactly...”

It was hard to imagine such a huge guy could speak so softly, barely above a whisper...

“I left my resignation letter on the coach’s desk. I’m leaving this place.”

Ning Zhou tilted his head to listen carefully, and after the other started talking, he kept his volume low but let it all out:

“I’ve played volleyball for so many years, and I’m no good at all.

I wanted to seize my last chance in this morning’s scrimmage, but I blew it again...I just don’t have the courage to touch a volleyball anymore. Maybe now’s the best time to leave.”

“I see...” Ning Zhou let out a long breath and smiled gently, “Safe travels!”

The man froze, lips moving hesitantly: “Aren’t...aren’t you going to try to convince me otherwise?”

Ning Zhou leaned closer, not catching his words. “Convince you of what?”

“A lot of people try to talk me into sticking it out a bit longer...” He gripped the handle of his suitcase. “‘You’ve played so many years already,’ ‘Tough it out through this camp and see what happens,’ stuff like that...”

Ning Zhou thought for a moment, then slowly shook his head.

“I don’t want to persuade you, and there’s no reason to.

You must be searching for a way of life that suits you better and brings you more joy. If you’ve made up your mind, go embrace tomorrow!”

He stretched, the smile on his face as warm as a sunflower turning to the sun.

“After you leave the volleyball world, don’t put too much pressure on yourself. Live healthy and happy!”

“...”

The man was stunned, mouth open but no words coming out, his grip on the suitcase unconsciously relaxing...

That sense of ease seemed infectious. The sunflower turned toward the sun as if to say: Look, the sunshine is falling on you!

“I...”

“Beep beep—”

A car pulled up at the training center, honking twice, and the variety show contact rolled down the window, waving him over.

“I’ve got to go!” Ning Zhou called as he strode away, waving goodbye. “See you around if fate allows!”

Not until Ning Zhou’s figure disappeared into the car did the man snap back to reality. Dragging his suitcase, he paced in front of the gym for a while, then suddenly rushed back inside...

*

Ning Yang yawned, fiddling with the serving machine, his prominent ears twitching as he waved to someone behind him.

“I can’t teach you. Go find a coach,” he said.

“Come on, Ning Yang!” Xu Zichang pressed his hands together in a nearly devout plea. “You’re the best passer I’ve ever seen, I’m begging you!”

“No way!” Ning Yang walked to the other half of the court, ignoring him. “I really can’t teach. Any assistant coach would be more helpful.”

Xu Zichang drooped, his dyed yellow hair falling flat.

He helped Ning Yang start up the serving machine, loading a ball into it.

The volleyball rolled into the machine and shot out at over a hundred kilometers per hour...

Ning Yang widened his eyes to observe the ball’s spin—

A fist intercepted it midair, smashing the ball away from Ning Yang, the voice cold and hard:

“Teach me how to pass.”

Ning Yang: ...

One after another—would it ever end!?