Returning to '97, creating a new life

At noon, Mr. Park treated everyone to lunch. The basketball team members all came from small restaurants near the school.

These kids are so young, they've eaten their fathers out of house and home. The basketball team is full of animals, each of them eats at least six ounces of rice, and the dozen or so of them ate over two hundred dollars' worth of food from Park In-ji.

"Eat, is that enough? If not, have two more meat dishes."

Park In-ji showed no sign of reluctance; he didn't mind spending the money at all, and in fact, there was a good chance that the money would be reimbursed.

"Fei Wenxin, can you train your strength?"

"Yes." Fei Wenxin, who was usually a bit lazy, didn't hesitate at all this time.

In tall sports, Dong Bin and Fei Wenxin have a natural advantage, while Xu Kai is the undisputed number one player on the team. The competition requires a team of four, with three players competing and one substitute.

On the way here, Park In-ji pulled Xu Kai aside and asked him about his ideal candidate.

"Let's compete fairly."

Park In-ji nodded at the time, feeling that this was the fairest way. Not everyone has the opportunity to ride on someone else's coattails. After Park In-ji was invited to visit the training of a CBA team, he concluded that Xu Kai's tactical awareness was definitely lacking. But what if you add that unstoppable three-point shot, and what if it's a youth competition, that is, a junior or high school level competition?

"Deep-sea giant shark!"

This is his conclusion when evaluating Xu Kai.

The afternoon training proceeded as usual, but a tense atmosphere permeated the team. Some of the group scrimmages even had a selection element to them. Park In-ji was writing something in her notebook, and not only Fei Wenxin, but even Dong Bin became nervous. That very evening, while Xu Kai and his mother were discussing converting the storage shed in their small courtyard into a bathroom, Park In-ji unexpectedly came to visit.

"Teacher Park, what's wrong?"

"Teacher Park, what brings you here?"

Sun Xiuyun opened the door, and Xu Kai followed. They were both taken aback when they saw Park In-ji carrying a box of pure milk in one hand and two plastic bags of fruit in the other.

In single-story houses, there aren't many formalities. When guests come, they are invited to sit on the edge of the kang (a heated brick bed).

Since Xu Kai brought back some tea leaves, and he occasionally drank them, Sun Xiuyun gradually got used to serving tea to guests. She had white ceramic cups at home, so she would brew some tea leaves and bring them over, which was considered a proper way to entertain guests.

Xu Kai picked up the rarely used ashtray, took out a cigarette, and handed it to the coach: "Coach Park, you can just make a phone call if anything comes up. It's not worth it for you to come all this way in person."

Park In-ji waved away the cigarette Xu Kai offered, then took a small sip of the scalding tea from her teacup. She didn't know how to say it, and needed to adjust her emotions before speaking.

"It's like this, Xu Kai, there's something I want to discuss with you..."

"Please speak."

Sun Xiuyun was busy washing fruit in the kitchen, listening intently. How could she not be curious when a teacher came to a student's home with fruit and milk, wanting to discuss something with the student?

Despite her high regard for her son, the scene before her left her somewhat bewildered, prompting her to mutter to herself, "Is Xiao Kai already capable of taking on the responsibility of supporting the family?"

Park In-ji was a little embarrassed, but finally gritted her teeth and thought, "Since I'm already here, I might as well say it: 'Xu Kai, I know you usually hold back when you play, but tell me honestly, do you have confidence?'"

Xu Kai shook his head: "I don't know, but in a three-on-three situation at halftime, I should have a greater advantage."

"Here's the thing, you're quick-witted and mature, so I won't beat around the bush with you. I could have made the decision myself, and no one would have objected, but I think I should talk to you about it. After all, if you back out, I'll have wasted all my time."

Xu Kai chuckled: "Teacher Park, if you're going to say that, then I'll be ashamed. Did I keep nagging you to thank you about Zhao Jian's matter? No, right? You're my teacher, my coach, and my elder. If there's anything, just tell me directly, and I'll take care of it. There's no need for all this beating around the bush."

Park In-ji blushed slightly: "Oh, oh, well then I'll get straight to the point. Regarding Fang Jinyao, I'm planning to have him team up with you guys..."

Before he could finish speaking, Xu Kai nodded directly: "Okay, Lao Fang has good stamina. In so many games, we need to control the pace and outrun the opponent, so he's suitable."

Park In-ji was about to speak when Xu Kai interrupted him again: "But I have a condition. He's a senior in high school, but once he's in the team, he has to listen to me. We also need to increase his physical training during this period."

"That's no problem."

The two of them tacitly understood what Park In-ji had been keeping to herself. It wasn't that saying it would be bad, but rather that it would cause awkwardness, which was unnecessary.

"By the way, Coach Park, now that the team is doing well, are you managing to both lead the team out of town and organize internal training all by yourself?"

Park In-ji smiled; the two understood each other perfectly.

Park In-ji sat for a while before getting up to leave. Xu Kai saw her off at the gate. The teacher turned back and shook hands with the student formally, whispering, "Thank you."

Xu Kai smiled slightly and didn't say anything.

This Mr. Park is a shrewd person. As a teacher, he handles things like this. Which student wouldn't work their hardest to serve him?

Back inside, his mother looked at him with curiosity: "Son, what kind of riddles are you two talking about? I didn't understand a word. He's the coach and the team leader, so why do we need your approval to choose the players?"

"Mom, this is the first national competition. The organizers have no experience, and everyone is doing this for the first time. Nobody knows what it will be like or what problems might arise. But there's one thing I think everyone understands: the level of importance attached to this competition, or to put it bluntly, the prestige of the competition..."

Seeing his mother's still puzzled expression, Xu Kai explained in detail: "Professional leagues, professional players, admission quotas for sports talents at top universities, sports universities, and jobs matching your major. Just like football, as the audience for this sport grows, its value increases. First of all, the results of the matches are easily linked to Coach Park's personal resume. If we play well, he will have more opportunities for a bright future. As for the players, Mom, you need to know that your son is the ace, the key to victory or defeat. To get results, I'm not exaggerating when I say my performance is crucial. Fang Jinyao, whom Coach Park mentioned, is a senior in high school and doesn't do well academically. Before I came, he was the team's starting defender, with average skills and no special characteristics. I think there are some personal connections and non-monetary benefits involved. Coach Park is a good person and has been good to me. Since we're going to do a favor, why not do something big..."

Sun Xiuyun understood, but a new question arose: "Won't that affect your grades?"

Xu Kai shook his head: "I don't know either. There are so many outstanding peers across the country. Nobody knows. What I need to ensure is that I make it out of the province. That would be enough to complete my mission."

Sun Xiuyun: "No, son, you're so good at this. I've heard that professional athletes make a lot of money. Don't let a favor hold you back."

"Mom, your son is excellent, but don't underestimate all heroes. My goal in this matter is to get a shield for myself during my three years of high school so that I can have an easier time. Ideally, I can get the favor of a local university, and then your son will bring you back a college student."

Mentioning this, Sun Xiuyun became interested. The fruit that Park In-ji hadn't eaten earlier was washed. She and her son sat on the heated kang (a traditional heated brick bed) and seemed ready to have a long talk. Nowadays, she wasn't worried that her son's lack of sleep would cause him to be listless at school the next day.

Since her son was specially admitted to high school, she has consulted many people about sports-related students. The once insurmountable threshold of university now seems easy for her son to cross, as long as he puts in a little effort in his academic studies. For example, she has seen the admission policy of a local second-tier university, which is a legitimate university, not a junior college. If her son works a little harder, or achieves more honors in basketball, then her glorious goal of raising a university student will be achieved.

………………

Yawning, wearing the uniform of a high school, there were no more privileges at Tie No. 2 High School, where I could wear my own pants.

The ugliest school uniform pants ever; they won't even let you through the gate if you don't wear them.

Xu Kai saw Dong Bin on the bus, paid his fare and boarded. He didn't refuse Dong Bin's offer to give him his seat, so he could rest during the 20-plus minute bus ride.

"What's wrong? Didn't you sleep well?"

"I didn't sleep all night."

I chatted with my mother until 11 o'clock, then washed my feet and went to bed. I had just drifted off to sleep when the newly installed landline phone rang.

Sun Xiuyun was also startled. After answering the call, she called out to Xu Kai.

There was a minor incident at the arcade, not a big one, but it's not something the people there can handle.

Xu Kai went there on his motorcycle. The solution he came up with wasn't his own idea; it was a solution he had "directly taken" from his memories before his rebirth.

The arcade business is getting better and better, which also means that the wins and losses are getting bigger and bigger. One customer lost nearly 20,000 yuan in a week, and lost the most tonight, more than 7,000 yuan. He was about to cause trouble, making a fuss and saying that the arcade machines were too hard to choose and wouldn't give him any credits, like a Pixiu that only takes in and never gives out.

These words won't hurt anyone, but they will damage the reputation of the arcade.

Without hiding it from anyone, in front of the customers in the arcade, Xu Kai gave this guy two thousand yuan for "taxi fare," frankly stating that everyone was there to support him. If someone lost more than five thousand yuan in a day, the arcade would give him one thousand yuan for food and taxi fare, hoping to maintain a regular relationship with everyone. Today was the first time, so he was giving this guy a little more.

Without a powerful backer and sufficient resources, this approach is not particularly appropriate. On the contrary, it has earned the arcade a great reputation. Everyone gets carried away with these gambling machines. If you lose too much and feel resentful, getting some "taxi fare" makes you feel better and you'll be willing to come back to play in the future. At least if you lose a lot, you have a safety net so you don't leave penniless.

In the next two or three years, when arcades were booming, many arcades encountered similar situations. It's true that they wanted to prevent losers from becoming envious, and it's also true that they wanted to build a good reputation by having repeat customers. However, it was more about the evolution of a rule from the gaming industry.

Don't let the loser get angry when they're penniless. If they're not careful, their anger could ignite and lead to something serious.

Several truck drivers and fruit wholesalers were present and applauded Xu Kai's handling of the situation. Those who hadn't won or lost much money at the gambling machines or card tables that night were now offering Xu Kai cigarettes and trying to get him to drink. They thought, "You can't judge a young man by his age; you have to judge him by how he does things."

There were barbecue restaurants right outside the wholesale market. With a phone call, beer and skewers would be delivered in less than twenty minutes. Xu Kai couldn't refuse. Actually, after all that, he wasn't sleepy anymore. He drank beer with a group of older guys for a while until they started wholesaling fruit around 2 a.m., and then Xu Kai went home.

After returning home, I tossed and turned, unable to fall asleep. I tossed and turned for a long time without being able to sleep. When it got light, I decided not to sleep anymore and went for a 10-kilometer run. It would be a lie to say that I had no expectations for the competition. I had already decided to increase the intensity of my training in the near future and squeeze out this seemingly inexhaustible energy and physical fitness.