Chapter 43: Qiang’s Words

Ming Han didn’t wake up until nearly ten o’clock the next morning. He found two messages on his phone from Lin Jingjing, both filled with concern.

“That girl… I think she confessed her feelings to me last night!” Ming Han felt it was a bit unbelievable. Lin Jingjing never lacked admirers, but he’d never heard of her agreeing to date anyone.

Su Yan entered Ming Han’s room and pulled open the curtains. “Son, did you drink a lot last night?”

Ming Han nodded. “Four bottles, I think. But I left early.”

Su Yan didn’t scold him. She had always been satisfied with her son, supporting everything he did unconditionally.

“Mom! Your son got confessed to!” Ming Han sounded troubled.

Su Yan smiled, her mood unaffected. “Is that strange? My son is so handsome—of course someone would like you. Was it the girl who waited for you last time? If it was, you’ve really struck gold. That girl is absolutely beautiful.”

She meant Chen Li.

“She’s pretty, but I’m no slouch myself!”

Su Yan shook her head. “With looks like hers, she must have plenty of admirers. I can’t imagine she’d actually pick you.”

Ming Han’s mood crashed. Wow, are you really my mom? What good does it do to disparage your own son?

“When are you going to bring that girl to the restaurant? I’ll show her my cooking skills.”

Ming Han gave her a look of disdain. “We’ll see.”

…

After washing up, Ming Han prepared to head to school. Yu Hang had called him earlier; Coach Black wanted to try him out.

A tryout, as the name suggests, is a technical showcase to assess your basketball fundamentals.

Ming Han wasn’t exactly an all-around talent yet, but what he could do was the result of thousands—if not more—repetitions.

When you’re well prepared, many unknown challenges become much easier.

Ming Han enjoyed the feeling of practicing basketball skills, and each successful shot brought him immense joy. Backpack slung over his shoulder, he arrived at the school, explained his purpose to the security guard, and went inside.

The new basketball squad was nearly formed. A proper team needs twelve people, but in an actual game, a rotation of seven or eight is sufficient.

Ming Han arrived late, but everyone greeted him.

“Hello, Coach!”

Coach Black nodded in reply. He was well known, having played professionally in the past. Some said at his peak, he was the strongest basketball player in the county.

After retiring, he became the gym teacher and basketball coach at this school. Unfortunately, neither the junior nor senior high teams had achieved any notable results in the past few years, which frustrated him deeply…

“Ming Han, right? Come over and shoot.”

Following Coach Black’s instructions, Ming Han took set shots from five different spots, pull-up jumpers after one dribble, and full-court three-step layups.

“Even though you’ve only been playing basketball for two months, your fundamentals are solid. And I hear your passing is excellent. I love players who can pass.” Coach Black expressed his satisfaction.

“Thank you, sir. I’ll keep training hard.”

“Get familiar with each other. I’ll submit your names soon. Work hard—this group has real potential. You’ll achieve great results.”

Coach Black left the court, and the rest of the boys remained.

Ming Han pulled Yu Hang aside. “You guys have been playing five or six years, your skills are great—it’s no surprise you made the team. But I’m such a rookie. Did you pull some strings for me or something?”

It wasn’t unreasonable for Ming Han to think that. Even though he’d performed steadily in previous games, he lacked experience. Naturally, he assumed Yu Hang must’ve done something to get him on the team.

Yu Hang waved it off. “I always planned to recommend you, but I wasn’t the first—he was.” Yu Hang pointed at Qiang, who was practicing mid-range shots alone.

In junior high basketball, Yu Hang was the most skilled—his dribbling even put high schoolers to shame. But for real game ability, aside from athletes Lin Wei and Lin Shan, Qiang was probably the best.

Ming Han had played with Qiang often but didn’t think they were close off the court. Could Qiang have taken a liking to him?

Qiang noticed Ming Han staring and grumbled, “Don’t look at me like that. You’re making me nervous…”

Ming Han burst out laughing. “Thanks, Qiang! Didn’t expect you to be so funny—you’re usually so reserved!”

Qiang rolled his eyes, unused to such praise. But he quickly became serious. “Ming Han, I really think you’re suited for proper team play. My plan is, once your dribbling improves, you’ll play point guard, Yu Hang at shooting guard, those two on the wings, and I’ll anchor the back. My goal is the championship—it’s never changed.”

Everyone listened intently, especially when Qiang mentioned “championship.” Their hearts stirred with excitement.

Their school had never won a championship before!

Qiang continued, “What I don’t want is anyone fighting over starting positions. Look at the Lakers—their team spirit is fantastic. That’s the culture of a winning team, where everyone knows how to sacrifice. Off the court, everyone genuinely applauds and hands out water to teammates; on the court, everyone executes the strategy and makes their contribution. Only then can we hope to win the county championship.”

Qiang’s words were exceptionally sincere, and many were moved.

“From now on, all rotation decisions follow the coach’s orders!”

Clapping rang out from behind them. Everyone turned—it was Coach Black. No one knew when he’d returned, but he’d listened carefully to Qiang’s speech.

“Ning Qiang’s words moved and amazed me. His thinking is beyond what you’d expect from a junior high student. From now on, he’s your captain and leader. In the coming year, you have only one task: win the championship.”

At that moment, this young team felt their spirits soar, ready for an all-out effort.

“In the next few days, come to school on time for training. Practice tactics, refine your skills. If you want to stay in the dorm, let me know—I’ll talk to the school for you,” Coach Black said.

Yu Hang was about to raise his hand, but Ming Han grabbed him. “Why stay at school? Didn’t you always want to live with me? These coming days are our happy life together!”