As one of her hits fell outside the court, one of the boys sitting a few seats ahead of Ying Xuan shouted, "Girls really don't know how to play. I suggest you get out of the court and let someone who actually knows how to play in."
He was shouted at by many students for his comments and even the teacher threatened to throw him out, so the boy say down sulkily and said no more.
But the statement had apparently angered the girl who was playing as she hit the next ball very forcibly towards the direction the boy was sitting, it was evident intentionally.
But her aim was a bit off as the ball came flying towards Ying Xuan's face at full speed.
There was not even enough time to realise what was happening.
Su Shaoyan, who had fairly good reflexes, jumped out of the way, but Shi Weiwei sat frozen at her spot.
Before even the girl who had hit the ball knew what had happened, Ying Xuan stood up and hit the ball back, with all her might. The ball made a whirring sound as it hit the instructor's side of the court with a thump and then bounced off.
Everyone stood transfixed, nobody knowing what had happened, until Su Shaoyan shouted, "The next aim will be anyone's head who says that girls can't play."
This seemed to incite a chain of cheers as everyone looked at Xuan, who was bending over Shi Weiwei, asking if she was all right.
As she was fussing over Weiwei, Xuan did not notice what was happening around her until someone else shouted, "Such a good player shouldn't be wasted sitting in the stands. She should be given a chance to tryout. Don't you all agree?"
Ying Xuan looked up and was not surprised to see Wei Jingyu standing at the entrance of the hall. Wei Jingyu walked towards the director and said, "Don't you agree, Mr. Zing?"
The director also seemed to have zoned out. He was brought back to reality with Wei Jingyu's voice and said, "Yes. I quite agree. Could I ask the young Miss to come down please?"
Ying Xuan, urged by Su Shaoyan and a very dazed looking Shi Weiwei, went down at the court. Once she stood there facing the director, he asked, "Oh, Miss Ying. Could I trouble you to ask whether you are Miss Xi or Miss Xuan?"
Before Xuan could reply, Wei Jingyu spoke up, "She's Ying Xuan."
The director nodded, "Oh. Miss Xuan, do you want to try out for the volleyball team?"
Ying Xuan shook her head. She was not really interested in volleyball. Though it seemed like a fun game, she would rather be on the basketball team.
The director clearly seemed a bit put down, "Why don't you want to try out for the volleyball team, could I ask?"
Ying Xuan signed, though highly doubting the director would understand her.
As expected, the director seemed confused, but Wei Jingyu standing beside her spoke up, "She wants to try out for the basketball team."
The director: "Why don't you try out for both the teams. Everyone here saw how nicely you hit that ball. It would be great to have you on the team."
Ying Xuan still seemed a bit reluctant, the director continued, "And do you know, students in two teams get special permission to sometimes not attend classes, due to the strain on their body of the practices."