Returning to '97, creating a new life

In the group stage, they won all three matches and advanced to the top 64 in the country as the top team in their group.

At 6 p.m., Songcheng No.1 High School finished the day's competition. As expected, Yanjing Affiliated High School, where Hu Yuxuan studied, also advanced to the next round as the runner-up.

Inside a private indoor basketball court.

When Xu Kai faced Su Xingwan, who was dressed in professional attire, she immediately gave him a hard time.

She wore a full-body black bodysuit covering her wrists and ankles, over which was a white basketball uniform. Her loose, youthful bun was tied into a ponytail, which was then braided. She looked clean and neat from head to toe, and her delicate, juicy face was full of seriousness.

After the kickoff, he made a change of direction and started, surpassing the starting speed and overall technique of men. His height disadvantage was also shown in his skills. When he went for a layup, he consciously used his body to block the shot. He went for a reverse layup, focusing on the speed difference. This made it impossible for Xu Kai, who was tall and had a long arm, to reach the opponent's hand and the basketball that he quickly flicked out unless he made a physical collision.

Xu Kai didn't use his body to bully others, nor did he solve the problem with a high-altitude pull-up jump shot. Instead, he engaged in a regular one-on-one battle with Su Xingwan.

Strong.

Xu Kai saw his own shortcomings in Su Xingwan. While it didn't damage his confidence in terms of absolute skill, it made him realize that when he encountered a top professional player one day, he wouldn't be able to overwhelm them.

Starting speed, explosiveness, accuracy, dribbling skills, and brainstorming—who would have thought that someone with such a pure and innocent first love face could possess such top-tier abilities?

Seeing the other player fall to the ground during the inevitable physical contact and appear completely unconcerned, Xu Kai knew that this was a true basketball player.

With no audience and undisturbed, Su Xingwan created a quiet environment, with everything from energy drinks to necessary equipment readily available on the sidelines.

Without looking at the score, they rested every thirty minutes or so, and the two played a total of four games.

"I'm not playing anymore." Su Xingwan chose to end the match. She had figured out that her opponent's stamina was unfathomable. She had planned to rely on her stamina reserves to win in the end, but her plan had failed. This damn man is amazing.

"Women's basketball is developing very well in China, you can definitely go and play professionally." Xu Kai's sincere words.

"No, I'm not going. Basketball is just a hobby for me. I don't expect it to bring me anything. Apart from the advantage of height and weight to compete against me, I won't find any fun in the women's group."

At this moment, Su Xingwan showed no trace of gentleness. After adjusting her state, she drank water in large gulps, completely lacking the ladylike gentleness that matched her overall image.

Xu Kai shrugged and remained silent. He didn't want to have much contact with her, but when he saw her face, which was still rosy and supple even after intense exercise, the phrase "so delicate it could be broken with a touch" truly came to life on her face.

During a one-on-one fight, even if the opponent is covered in sweat, their faint body odor is still a pleasure. It's hard to refuse to have more contact with such a person.

"Thanks, let's play ball together sometime."

With a quick wave, the two parted ways outside the stadium.

Who says women are inferior to men if they are born as girls? If she doesn't shine brightly in the future, it's not because of ability, luck, or environment, but simply because she didn't want to be a benchmark under the spotlight.

For competitions held outside of holidays, organizers have to make the schedule more compact.

The following afternoon, the round of 64 elimination matches began.

At the edge of the Songcheng No. 1 High School's competition field, Xu Kai saw Yao Ming. Park In-ji quietly introduced him to some of the team's coaches and professional players, including some of the top university physical education teachers in the country.

I learned to enjoy playing basketball from Su Xingwan, and the thoughts that I used to always weigh how to choose this path have faded.

Let things take their course and see how things go. Now that we're on such a high competitive stage, we should enjoy ourselves to the fullest. Last night, he saw a hint of regret on Su Xingwan's face. It wasn't said that female contestants weren't allowed to participate, but on this stage, female contestants don't have the advantage of height or weight. The only result of participating is that they will be deliberately targeted and crushed by male contestants through reasonable physical confrontation.

Su Xingwan didn't have the opportunity, but I am enjoying it. If I don't immerse myself in it, I would be letting down the absolute advantage that God has given to human nature.

The opponents were far weaker than Hu Yuxuan and his two teammates from the affiliated high school. After Xu Kai entered the arena, he immediately started an aerial acrobatic competition with Dong Bin and Fei Wenxin.

All three players were flying in the air, each with the ability to finish the game. They also had a height advantage, and their various dunks quickly turned the game into a personal exhibition match for the three of them.

In the second half, Fang Jinyao was substituted in, and four players rotated in, a tactical exercise to conserve energy.

50: 26.

The opponent scored so many points with ease, especially in the second half when Xu Kai and his teammates evolved the game into a more relaxed style of basketball, giving the opponent ample room to showcase their skills. At one point, the defense of both sides was so loose that it was almost unbearable to watch.

Fortunately, Dong Bin and Fei Wenxin's height, as well as their basic skills and potential, were noticed by some people. Coach Pu, as the team leader and coach, also led them to receive some professional basketball teams and teachers from relevant universities.

Can it be done? Is it possible?

The first step is to conduct bone age tests and corresponding trial training for the two. Their current height is a great advantage, and if they can grow further, that will be an absolute advantage.

32 to 16.

Songcheng No.1 High School, relying on its team advantage, still won easily.

16 to 8.

Xu Kai hit five consecutive three-pointers, completely crushing the opponent's morale and preventing them from catching up.

After the day's matches conclude, the remaining teams will play a maximum of three matches on the final day.

The opening ceremony will be held at 11:00 AM, followed by the closing ceremony and awards ceremony at 3:00 PM.

Top 8 in the country.

Park In-ji reported the good news to the school. Although the first batch of teams was not very well-known, they carried the title of "national team". The school attached great importance to them and encouraged the team to continue their efforts and achieve new heights, looking forward to the team's triumphant return.

Inside the hotel.

After hanging up the phone, Park In-ji received a call from the front desk. Without even changing his shoes, he went downstairs in the slippers provided in the room and escorted the guest, whom he considered a distinguished guest, to his room.

"Professor Park, I just arrived in Yanjing. You'll probably be even busier tomorrow, so I came early. I apologize for bothering you."

"No, no, please sit down."

It wasn't the head coach of the Northeast Tigers men's basketball team, who had just been promoted to the CBA, but rather the assistant coach and star player Sun Jun who came to visit.

Soon, Xu Kai and the other three were all called to Park In-ji's room. It wouldn't be appropriate to call three people instead of Fang Jinyao.

Park In-ji also recommended Fang Jinyao, saying nothing else but hoping for a trial opportunity, as the boy wanted to use this to improve his chances of getting into university.

Sun Jun, who is not yet the Tiger King, does not yet have that domineering aura, but the Tiger King who will bring surprises to the whole country in the next year or two is already ready to go. He will enter the CBA as a substitute and will truly roar across the country in the season that starts at the end of the year, winning the MVP, scoring title and three-point title.

"I do."

"I do."

Several teams had approached us before, but their intentions were vague and they had many additional conditions. Our hometown team was the first to give us a definite answer and extended an offer with great sincerity. They said that even if our trial results were not ideal, we could train with the team's reserve team to improve, and we could also take care of our school enrollment for the time being.

Dong Bin and Fei Wenxin nodded without hesitation. Their initial agreement was reached. Next, they would need to contact their parents back in the province to make the process more formal.

"I... I'll think about it some more." Xu Kai's refusal didn't have any impact. Until the quarterfinals, the level he showed was impressive, but his three-point shooting was considered an occasional, unpredictable performance.

This is still not enough to make professional teams take notice; they can recruit him, but they won't offer more attractive conditions to attract him.

Sports for tall people, in the current domestic atmosphere, height is king.

Fang Jinyao got a trial opportunity to experience the atmosphere of a professional team. He made it clear that his level was not good enough for the team, but he could train with them and pay less sponsorship fees. He could train and learn in the professional club as a sparring partner.

Xu Kai stopped Park In-ji with a look, and also signaled Dong Bin and Fei Wenxin not to talk nonsense. "I don't need you to prove anything to me. If needed, I can do it myself anytime."

They chatted happily inside. Teacher Park mentioned that Mr. Sun had come from afar and wanted to treat everyone at the restaurant downstairs. Sun Jun said he would come himself and thanked Songcheng No.1 High School and Teacher Park for nurturing such promising young talents for their hometown.

After some polite exchanges, before everyone had even left, the landline phone in Teacher Park's room rang.

"Hello, is Xu Kai there? I called his room number, but no one answered."

A gentle voice came from inside, and despite having only had a brief conversation, Park In-ji remembered this distinctive voice.

He handed the phone to Xu Kai, giving him a warning look, as if to say, "You've got good luck with women, you better watch yourself."

"Feed".

"Come to the arena from yesterday. I invited some professional players from the Shanghai Oriental Basketball Team. No other reason than high-level opponents, worth a match. I got utterly crushed. How about you? Want to experience it for yourself?"

"OK."

Xu Kai originally wanted to go by himself. After today, Dong Bin and Fei Wenxin would have no shortage of opportunities to learn from and spar with professional-level masters, so there was no need to make connections for them. As for himself, he was purely driven by curiosity. Having lived a second life, he still had a certain yearning to be able to have close contact with celebrities he had only seen on TV, in newspapers, and on the internet.

It's worth noting that before his rebirth, Xu Kai's most successful moment was when he was the owner of a small media company. When he participated in a major online event, there were big stars and internet celebrities present, and he could only stand like a lackey.

Why are so many people so eager to be with female celebrities? In reality, they may not even be as beautiful as top beauties. What they want is a face that matches their status and is recognized by everyone, giving them a real sense of accomplishment.

Park In-ji was worried that his disciple might not be able to hold on, so he asked a few more questions. When he learned that Xu Kai was going to play against a professional athlete, Sun Jun also became interested. He wasn't hungry to begin with, and he had eaten airplane food on the plane. The team's coaches didn't pay much attention to Xu Kai, but Sun Jun, although he hadn't seen this young man play, had a feeling that the opponent was far more complex than the player report presented by the team's assistant coach.