Chapter 37: She
After chatting for a while, Ming Han said to Chen Li, “Heh! I’m done talking. I’m off to play basketball!”
For someone like Ming Han, who loves basketball, repeating the same technical moves never feels tedious—in fact, he finds endless enjoyment in it. He had read in a basketball magazine before that the NBA superstar Kobe was a relentless training fanatic. Every practice filled him with excitement!
“Ming Han, I heard from Yingying about the bet between you and Fang Huijian. Honestly, it doesn’t matter to me. No matter what he says, I could never like someone like him.”
Ming Han grinned, “I know you wouldn’t like someone like that. He’s got the air of a nouveau riche! But his words were disrespectful to you, and I want him to apologize. Besides, I’m pretty strong now!”
When Ming Han claimed to be strong, he acted as if he didn’t care about the match at all. But Chen Li knew that Ming Han must be putting his all into preparing for this game—with a seriousness that even surpassed his matches against Class Seven.
“Ming Han, I’ll come find you, okay?”
Chen Li’s home wasn’t far from the county town, but she found commuting troublesome and had chosen to board at school. Ming Han’s home was even closer—just a short distance from the school. Chen Li knew roughly where it was.
Ming Han didn’t refuse. “I’m at the basketball court in our neighborhood.”
Chen Li replied with a soft acknowledgment and hung up. Ming Han picked up the basketball and started shooting again. One shot. Two shots. Three shots…
About forty minutes later, Chen Li arrived at the entrance to Ming Han’s neighborhood on her bicycle. She called Ming Han, and when he came out, he saw her holding a bag. She handed it to him. “I just bought some knee pads.”
Ming Han was never one for such things. When he played, he wore nothing but his jersey, shorts, and shoes—no other equipment. Partly because he thought it unnecessary, partly because it was too much trouble, and he was simply too lazy.
“Thanks!”
Ming Han led Chen Li to the basketball court. The two of them seemed at ease, accustomed to this way of being together. Ming Han joked around, sharing all sorts of amusing nonsense, while Chen Li listened quietly.
They didn’t talk about the upcoming game at all. Ming Han shot baskets and dribbled. Chen Li stood beside him, fetching stray balls, occasionally handing him water.
Some people in the neighborhood recognized Ming Han and teased him, “Xiao Han, who’s the pretty girl you’ve brought along?”
Ming Han would answer without missing a beat, “Picked her up at the market yesterday during a sale.”
He paid no mind to Chen Li’s eye-rolls.
As evening approached, Ming Han took Chen Li to a noodle shop in the neighborhood. “Boss, three bowls of noodles, please!”
Chen Li asked in confusion, “Is someone else joining us?”
Ming Han scratched his nose awkwardly. “Uh—two bowls are for me.”
Though Ming Han looked a bit on the thin side, the high altitude gave him a healthy appetite.
The noodles were fragrant and generously portioned. But Chen Li didn’t like pork, and quite naturally pushed all of it over to Ming Han.
Ming Han laughed, “Chen Li, now I understand why so many people like you! You’re so easy to take care of—just a simple meal and you’re full, no meat required.”
Chen Li was in a cheerful mood and didn’t argue. After dinner, Ming Han gave her a ride home on his bicycle. Night had just fallen, and the street was lively with the flow of traffic.
Sitting on the back seat, Chen Li looked at the boy pedaling ahead of her and suddenly felt a deep sense of contentment.
“Just you wait, Chen Li! One day I’ll be standing on a grand stage, playing basketball. Countless people will call my name and cheer for me…”
Chen Li didn’t know if that day would ever come when Ming Han would shine with glory. But she was very fond of the Ming Han who was so good to her right now.