Chapter 2: Basketball, Truly Difficult!

Finally, class was over! Ming Han and Yu Hang went to the cafeteria together for lunch.

Ming Han snatched Yu Hang’s chicken leg and said, “All I did was borrow your MP4 for a few days. Did you really have to set me up like this?”

Yu Hang grinned, “I’ve been wanting to drag you into playing basketball with me for ages. Trust me, the world of basketball is fascinating.”

Ming Han stuffed a mouthful of food into his mouth. “But there’s no way I can beat Xiao Yu in just two weeks! He’s on our class team too!”

Yu Hang patted Ming Han on the shoulder. “Don’t worry! I know all about his playing style. You’re ten centimeters taller than him, which is a huge physical advantage. I’m confident I can help you beat him in two weeks.”

Ming Han nodded, no longer refusing. Ever since he noticed Zhang Xiaozhen seemed interested in basketball players, Ming Han found himself less resistant to sports.

“Let’s practice after school this afternoon!”

“Alright!”

…

After school, they bought some snacks and headed straight to the basketball court.

In another twenty minutes, the place would be packed—there were always too many people wanting to play basketball.

“Let’s start with the basics: shooting!”

Yu Hang handed the ball to Ming Han. “Try taking a shot.”

Ming Han raised the ball above his head with both hands and threw it forcefully toward the hoop. The ball slammed against the backboard and bounced right back.

“Your form is truly awful!”

Ming Han burst out laughing and didn’t argue. He was, after all, a complete beginner.

“Learning proper shooting form is crucial for your future accuracy.”

As he spoke, Yu Hang took a shot. The ball traced a beautiful arc and swished cleanly through the net.

Yu Hang took out his MP4. “I downloaded this video online. Watch the way this guy shoots.”

The player in the video wore the number 24 jersey. His form was elegant, with a slight fadeaway.

“Amazing!”

Yu Hang paused. “He was last year’s champion and one of the best players in the league. He once scored eighty-one points in a single game.”

Ming Han didn’t really grasp how impressive eighty-one points was; in the inter-class games he’d seen, an entire team usually didn’t get that many.

“The best way to learn is to imitate the greats. Just follow his form for now.”

Ming Han nodded and started practicing. He tried to mimic the player’s shooting motion in his mind, but quickly realized he couldn’t put enough force into it. This time, the ball didn’t even touch the rim.

“The more I practice, the worse I get.”

Yu Hang came over to comfort him. “Basketball isn’t that simple. Right now, you just need to get used to the correct shooting motion. With time, it’ll come naturally.”

Ming Han had a stubborn streak; otherwise, he wouldn’t be such a top student. After Yu Hang left to join a pick-up game, Ming Han kept practicing by himself, picking up the ball again and again.

At first, he couldn’t even hit the rim. Later, he managed to hit the rim, and then, occasionally, a few shots actually went in.

By the time Ming Han finished, it was nearly seven o’clock.

Both of them were drenched in sweat as they walked down the school path, basketball in hand.

“Yu Hang, honestly, I feel like giving up. This is even harder than those endless exam drills.”

Yu Hang laughed. “It’s always tough at the beginning. Once you get the hang of it, you’ll find endless enjoyment in the game. And just think—when Zhang Xiaozhen is cheering for you as a member of the cheer squad, won’t you be bursting with motivation?”

Ming Han punched Yu Hang in mock annoyance. “Do I look that shallow? I play ball to cultivate my character, not because of some girl.”

Yu Hang gave a meaningful “oh” and then said seriously, “We’re on a tight schedule. Starting tomorrow, you need to learn the three-step layup. Within a week, you have to cover all the basics, or there’s no way you’ll be ready for a one-on-one game.”