The Strongest Playmaker

Wu Qie had often been pulled out during his middle school years to play friendly matches or attend training sessions, so he was extremely efficient at packing.

The next day, as expected, he ended up with the smallest suitcase in the entire team.

The basketball team, including coaches, instructors, team leaders, substitute players, and other accompanying staff, totaled twenty-three people.

They had agreed to gather at Jiangcheng Airport.

When Wu Qie arrived, he was a little surprised to see an unexpected face.

Duan Bairui walked up and greeted him.

The Omega smiled shyly and took the initiative to explain to Teacher Xiao Wu that he had picked up an on-campus part-time job two days ago.

The job was to act as a “life assistant” for the basketball team’s young masters for half a month.

The pay for this job was extremely generous.

As soon as it was posted, people scrambled for it.

Duan Bairui, living up to expectations, once again secured the job thanks to the stereotype that “Omegas are meticulous.”

Wu Qie said expressionlessly, “Then congratulations. The job title says ‘assistant,’ but the actual work is ‘nanny.’ If you run now, it’s still not too late.”

Duan Bairui laughed brightly, thinking Teacher Xiao Wu was joking.

Seeing the Omega’s optimistic and naive expression, Wu Qie felt a headache coming on.

He silently thought that when they boarded later, he should put Zhao Shu next to him.

That way, the moment they landed in the new city and Duan Bairui connected to the internet, the first thing he would do would be to buy a return ticket at his own expense.

This comment happened to be overheard by Teacher Xue, who was passing behind them.

He laughed loudly and slapped Wu Qie’s back with a bear-like palm.

“Don’t slander our young masters!”

Teacher Xue was like an overly indulgent parent, infinitely tolerant of the team’s boys.

In his eyes, just getting this group of pampered young masters to the airport and onto a commercial flight was already no small feat.

In fact, more than half the team came from families that owned private jets.

But after discussing it a few days ago, they decided not to make such a big show of it.

Applying for flight routes was troublesome, and if they got mocked by the idiots from Imperial Capital No. 12 High for being spoiled, no one would be able to stand it.

In the end, Wu Qie’s malicious wish did not come true.

When he got his ticket and saw Zhao Shu listed as his seatmate, he felt like the sky had collapsed.

—People really shouldn’t have even a shred of malicious intent.

This thought became even more firmly established when he saw that Duan Bairui’s seatmate was Pei Qingyu.

After boarding, Wu Qie sat down without a word.

He watched as Duan Bairui in the row ahead struggled with his small carry-on suitcase, looking troubled.

Zhao Shu beside him yawned endlessly.

He showed absolutely no intention of helping.

There was no trace of Alpha gentlemanly behavior.

Wu Qie kicked him lightly, trying to awaken his conscience.

Zhao Shu didn’t even respond.

“Pei Qingyu just went to the restroom, not dead. Wait for him.”

Wu Qie found that baffling.

He asked, “Will doing a good deed shorten your lifespan?”

Zhao Shu went silent for a few seconds, then turned his head lazily to look at the black-haired Beta.

“Have you noticed we’ve been arguing because of Lin Zuwen lately?”

“How is that Lin Zuwen’s fault? The problem is clearly you as a person—”

Zhao Shu wore a “not listening, not listening” expression and continued speaking.

“So I’ve decided to stay away from all Omegas recently.”

Wu Qie stared at him for more than five seconds to confirm he wasn’t joking.

What surfaced in his mind was Wu Wenxiong’s sacred “keep options open” plan.

—Even if you’re riding a donkey, you’d still want a decent one.

Not this kind of lunatic donkey that doesn’t even pull a millstone.

And if Zhao Guipu found out he was dangling a carrot in front of his brother like this, he might twist his head off.

Compared to the irritation he felt toward Zhao Shu and other chaotic Alpha types, Wu Qie admitted that when facing Zhao Guipu, he felt a kind of instinctive apprehension.

Even though Zhao Guipu had never once raised his voice at him.

If it had been Zhao Shu who handed him that half-smoked cigarette last night—

Wu Qie would’ve shoved it up his nose instead of obediently smoking it.

On the sixth second of drifting thoughts, Wu Qie stood up.

“Not necessary.”

He stepped past Zhao Shu into the aisle and took the suitcase from Duan Bairui.

Amid the Omega’s repeated thanks, Wu Qie lifted the suitcase expressionlessly.

He was just about to ask whether it was filled with clothes or bricks—

At that moment, the weight in his hands suddenly lightened.

A sleeve brushed past his face.

The Alpha who had boarded late appeared and very naturally took the heavy suitcase, placing it into the overhead compartment.

“Zhao Shu, are your arms broken?”

A cool voice sounded beside him.

Wu Qie turned his head and saw Pei Qingyu’s perfectly shaped jawline up close.

The distance was so close it felt uncomfortable.

Zhao Shu’s gaze moved between Wu Qie and Pei Qingyu, while Duan Bairui continued thanking Pei Qingyu enthusiastically.

Pei Qingyu glanced at Duan Bairui and gave a brief acknowledgment.

At the same time, Wu Qie quietly shifted his gaze away, avoiding eye contact, and his body unconsciously leaned back slightly.

Pei Qingyu noticed.

The cabin was crowded and noisy, but Zhao Shu said expressionlessly,

“How long are you planning to block the aisle?”

After four hours on the plane and another three hours on a bus, the initial excitement faded.

By the time the bus entered the mountains, the young masters were sleeping deeply.

Wu Qie sat at the front, slightly tired but not asleep.

Sun Mi and Teacher Xue were discussing sponsorships for the team.

Teacher Xue suddenly asked, “Do you have Picline?”

This was currently the most popular social media platform globally, combining posts, short videos, messaging, social networking, and business promotion.

It even had a restricted section requiring strict verification, only accessible to Alphas and Omegas.

Once registered, it opened the door to a shocking adult world.

When asked, Wu Qie tilted his head slightly, his expression unusually indifferent.

“I’ve never registered on that site.”

In many countries abroad, Picline was practically equivalent to WeChat.

Teacher Xue was shocked.

“You studied abroad, drive a junk car, use an old phone, and now you’re telling me you don’t even use Picline?”

Sun Mi told him to register one.

They wanted him to post training updates and behind-the-scenes content to attract sponsors.

Wu Qie downloaded the app on the spot but didn’t rush to register.

When they arrived at the training location, it was less like a remote mountain and more like a hot spring resort.

The place was spacious, secluded, and fully equipped.

Even Zhao Shu couldn’t find much to complain about.

When assigning rooms, Zhao Shu stood behind Wu Qie, staring at the keys in his hand with a threatening air.

As if daring him to pair him with Pei Qingyu.

At the end, Wu Qie handed Zhao Shu a key and assigned Wang Jiajia as his roommate.

Just as he extended his hand, Zhao Shu grabbed it.

“What about you? Who are you sharing a room with?”

Wu Qie shook the remaining key.

“Teachers have their own rooms.”

Zhao Shu said, “Wang Jiajia snores. I’ll stay with you.”

Wang Jiajia looked wronged but couldn’t argue.

Wu Qie rejected him.

“It’s a double bed room.”

Zhao Shu paused, as if about to say something, but ultimately let go reluctantly.

Wu Qie didn’t understand why he had suddenly become so clingy.

After unpacking, Wu Qie went out to explore.

Like a wild animal surveying new territory, he grabbed a map from the front desk.

He saw tennis courts, golf courses, outdoor basketball courts, indoor gyms, hot springs, and even a cinema.

He wasn’t interested in most of them.

The outdoor basketball court was closest, so he headed there.

Before even reaching it, he heard the sound of a basketball hitting the ground.

That sound was unmistakable.

Pushing aside some bushes, he looked inside.

There were seven or eight unfamiliar players practicing.

Likely from Imperial Capital No. 12 High and Yicheng Affiliated High.

Wu Qie watched quietly.

Jiang Xilu was there.

A top-tier small forward.

In Wu Qie’s opinion, before his injury, Jiang Xilu was one of the best high school small forwards in the country.

After watching for over ten minutes, Jiang Xilu suddenly turned.

“Hey, the one watching. From Hongtie?”

Wu Qie sighed inwardly and stepped out.

“Wanna play?”

Jiang Xilu tossed the ball.

“What position?”

“…Point guard.”

Thirty minutes later.

Jiang Xilu scored twenty-seven points.

The gap widened to fifteen points.

He felt incredible.

Every pass came exactly where he wanted it.

It was like Wu Qie could read his mind.

When he thought, ‘I need a pass now,’ the ball would arrive instantly.

After the game, Wu Qie said calmly,

“It’s almost dinner time.”

Jiang Xilu glanced at his neck.

—No gland.

“A Beta?”

Wu Qie didn’t notice and left after putting on his jacket.

After he left, Jiang Xilu stood there in shock.

“…Captain, I used to think you were the best point guard in the country.”

Zhou Kai replied,

“If you don’t want to get hit, shut up.”

Jiang Xilu grinned.

“Let’s recruit him.”

“Hongtie has money too.”

“Still. That’s wasted talent.”

He looked toward the empty court.

“…He said he was going to eat, right?”

Zhou Kai sighed.

“Jiang Xilu. Act normal.”