Chapter 74: Return? (Part Three)

As soon as school ended, they made their way to Lantern Park. The park was renowned for its spacious basketball court. People of all ages came to watch games here. Ming Han had visited on weekends before, but it was always crowded then. He was usually a spectator, standing among the throng around the court.

Tank and Yu Hang had a good reason to choose this place. The best players were often found among ordinary people. Here, basketball talents frequently appeared—some rivaled the school champions.

Tank earnestly warned Ming Han, “Footwork doesn’t mean much unless you’ve experienced real games. Practice alone won’t do it.”

Tank had invested considerable effort in mastering footwork, diligently studying the moves of NBA legends. Among inside players, the footwork of the Rockets’ legendary Hakeem Olajuwon stood out, his “dream shake” unmatched. As for perimeter players, Kobe Bryant’s creativity and unpredictability left defenders despairing.

After Tank explained the basics, the three boys formed a team with three middle-aged men.

The three men were regulars at the park, treating basketball as a way to stay fit. But that didn’t mean playing against them was easy. Their frightening strength lay in their mastery of specific skills.

Compared to students, they lacked variety in attacking techniques and their shooting form was often unorthodox. Yet, the ultimate goal in basketball is simply to get the ball in the hoop—and in that, they excelled far beyond many students.

Playing alongside them, Ming Han discovered their knack for sinking baskets with bizarre techniques. They’d back into you and shoot in awkward, ambiguous poses; they’d fling the ball as if lifting a toilet lid, with uncanny accuracy.

Their frames were much larger than the students’, so if you defended too aggressively, you risked catching an unexpected elbow.

After more than an hour, the three students felt utterly exhausted.

The men had another unbeatable trick: if their drive didn’t score, they’d always call a foul!

The most egregious was when a particularly hefty man drove to the basket, and the three boys didn’t have time to defend. The man, perhaps surprised by the easy layup, missed the open shot. Without missing a beat, he called out, “Hand foul!”

The three boys were left standing bewildered. Uncle, we were so far away we couldn’t even touch the hair on your arm! Was this the legendary remote foul technique?

By the time they finished, night had fallen. It was winter, and the days were short. Thanks to the exercise, none of them felt cold. Yu Hang was heading back to school, while Ming Han and Tank, both boarders, were returning home.

...

Meanwhile, at school, Huang Ying received a text: “Ying Ying, I’m coming back.”

The message had arrived from the distant United States—it was from her!

“I’m going to the internet café. We’ll talk in detail.”

It was 2011, and phones had no video call function, so Huang Ying had to use a computer.

Half an hour later, Huang Ying connected with Chen Li via video call.

“Did your parents agree?”

Chen Li nodded. She’d been in low spirits lately, worrying her mother. Last week, she fell seriously ill. During the checkup, the doctor delivered a thunderbolt: “Your daughter may have depression.”

Both of Chen Li’s parents were highly educated professionals. They knew how devastating depression could be—not just physically, but mentally.

In Japan, depression had even become the leading cause of death.

Chen Li’s mother nearly broke down upon hearing the news, unable to sleep all night. Since arriving in America, her daughter had become even more withdrawn. American classmates were warm and often invited Chen Li to events, but she rarely went.

“Old Chen, what should we do?” Her father, equally distraught, had been smoking heavily. He was a top executive, wielding power at work, but utterly powerless before his daughter’s suffering—this left him in despair.

“Was it a mistake to bring Li Li to America in the first place?”

He’d moved the whole family to the US this year to expand his company’s new market. Business had gone smoothly, but his beloved daughter was struggling.

“Old Chen, it’s hard for Li Li to fit in, and she has no real friends here. Why don’t we send her back home? Let her grandparents take care of her.”

Chen Long smoked one cigarette after another, finally making up his mind. “Alright!”

Huang Ying listened to the story in silence for a long time.

“Ying Ying, I’m coming back! You have to be happy now…”

“Li Li, your illness…” Huang Ying couldn’t finish and buried her face in the café table, sobbing.

We all thought you heartlessly abandoned us for a faraway place, but you’ve endured more than anyone there.

“Ying Ying, it’s alright!” Chen Li comforted her. “Once I’m home, I’ll definitely recover.”

Huang Ying nodded. “Li Li, I’ll make sure you’re always smiling. Depression is nothing.”

Though she spoke bravely, her eyes were red. She knew how hard depression was to cure.

“Li Li, should I tell Ming Han?” Huang Ying knew that the biggest reason and motivation for the girl’s return was that radiant boy.

Chen Li shook her head. “I’m not ready to tell him yet. Besides, I think he must hate me now.”

Those words brimmed with disappointment.

“Li Li, you idiot. In the six months you’ve been gone, Ming Han has been like a generator—playing basketball and studying nonstop. The more he does, the less able he is to let you go.”

Half a year isn’t long, but it can change many things. Did you know? There’s a new movie called ‘Love Lost in 33 Days.’ It says you only need thirty-three days to forget someone you thought you’d spend your whole life with. After that, you’ll find someone new to replace all the good that person once gave you.

“Li Li, when will you arrive in town? I’ll come pick you up.”

Chen Li told her the time.

...

The first semester of ninth grade was swiftly coming to an end. Everyone was caught up in the stress of final exams.

In less than two hundred days, they would take the high school entrance exam; many would leave the school, perhaps never to meet again.

After the exams, Ming Han invited Yu Hang, “Let’s play ball this afternoon until our skin peels off.”

Yu Hang shook his head. “Huang Ying said we need to go to the station to pick up a friend. I have to go with her.”

Ming Han looked at him with scorn. “Henpecked husband.”