Reborn during the early days of China’s reform and opening, the narrator finds himself in the 1980s countryside. In this setting, the past is still a cold reference, yet it is also a fresh start....
Wan Taimin patted Wan Feng on the shoulder and said, "Boy, you're quite capable! I really managed to get you back on top."
“It’s a must!”
In my previous life, I participated in three football games and won the runner-up every time. As the saying goes, three times is the limit, so I should win the championship in this life.
Number Six from the General Administration team came up to Wan Feng and snorted coldly, "Boy, you play basketball so dirty. If I weren't a police officer, I would beat you up."
"Uncle police..."
"Call me brother, how old am I and why do you call me uncle?"
"Brother, don't get angry while playing ball, and don't bring things that happened on the court off the court. How about I treat you tonight?"
"Even if you treat me to some delicacies from land and sea, it won't heal the wounds in my heart!"
The six men lifted up their vests and pointed at their chest hairs that had been pulled into a mess by Wan Feng and roared.
"Brother, I just plucked a few of your chest hairs. I think you'd better shave them. Only foreigners have them. How many Chinese people have them? It's a sign of underevolution, just like an animal."
"What? You're calling me a beast in a roundabout way? I think you're the beast."
You see, the more you talk, the more mistakes you make.
Zheng Chaoyang waved to Wan Feng from the other side: "Come here."
Wan Taimin poked Wan Feng: "Director Zheng is calling you."
"What do you want me to do? Is he going to regret that we won first place? I'm going to go over and take a look."
When Wan Feng came in front of Zheng Chaoyang, he saw Zheng Chaoyang rolling his eyes.
"Uncle Zheng, you're really good at rolling your eyes. Breaking out of Asia won't be a problem at all. You can even go global."
"Stop bullshitting me! Tell me! You took our first place, how are you going to compensate us for our losses?"
"Why should I compensate you for your losses? You agreed to my participation, and you want to go back on your word? A director's words count, they can't be treated like rags."
"Ragged clothes? What the hell? Oh, you little bastard, you curse like that."
"Hey, just kidding. Bring all your General Administration Team here at 7pm. I'll treat your relative's restaurant by the river. This doesn't count as a bribe."
"No! Your team on the riverside is celebrating their victory. We're going down to Silai to watch you guys jumping and dancing."
"People can't be too petty. They should look forward to everything. How can they achieve great things if they are so petty?"
Zheng Chaoyang looked disdainful.
"You're not going? Don't blame me. I told you it's your loss if you don't go."
"I heard you sponsored the Riverside Team for 2,000 yuan?"
"Of course, there are always brave men under great rewards. Without incentives, there is no enthusiasm. You can see it too."
Zheng Chaoyang showed a conspiratorial smile.
"This time, our Heihe Public Security Team is going to participate in the provincial public security system basketball game, and they happen to be in need of sponsorship. I'm very optimistic about you!"
Wan Feng was dumbfounded.
Oh my god, why did this old fox let me play so readily? I was waiting here! It's over, I got tricked.
"Director Zheng, is it really okay for a police officer like you to plot against me, a commoner?"
"Stop it, tell me! How much are you going to sponsor us?"
"Is a thousand enough?"
"What? You sponsored 2,000 yuan for the Jiangbian Police Station's competition in this city, and you're giving us 1,000 yuan for our competition in Harbin? You're just giving alms to beggars! Say that to me again!"
"Director Zheng, does this count as openly soliciting bribes?"
"This is encouragement and sponsorship, isn't that what you said?"
They've given us something to hold against us again.
"Also, you've been selected for the Heihe Public Security Team."
Ah! I'm selected! This old thief is so shameless, it's not enough to just eat once, I'm planning to take him to eat a whole round trip.
"Hey, Director Zheng, I'm not a police officer. We're just messing around in Heihe, but you want me to represent the police in the provincial competition? Isn't that nonsense?"
Playing around in Heihe is nothing special. How could he have the time to go to Harbin to play in the provincial competition? He earns hundreds of thousands of dollars a day, so why would he follow them and do that?
"Haha, if you don't tell me and I don't tell anyone about Hei He, who would know that you're not a police officer? That's it."
"I'll sponsor 5,000!"
He must not be allowed to make the decision. Why won't this competition last for ten days or half a month? He really can't go and play with them.
Zheng Chaoyang smiled, a proud smile.
"Uncle Zheng, I've finally figured it out. You officials are not good people. You're full of little tricks."
“This is the way to be an official.”
Bullshit.
"When does your game start?"
"August 5th."
"How many days will it take?"
"At least a week. You really aren't going? I'm really planning on drafting you. Your defense is quite unique. You're a complete hooligan."
"Haha, basketball is for big guys. How can I play basketball if I don't learn some unique tricks?"
"So, play with some messy stuff? Teach them some of your messy stuff."
Wan Feng blinked his eyes. "Is this okay? You are police officers. Police officers should be upright, noble, and honest..."
"Stop bullshitting me!"
Even the coach has gotten involved. How can we seek justice?
People from the General Administration team gathered around and complained in a flurry.
"Director, this guy plays basketball so badly, he has all kinds of dirty tricks."
"Exactly. Damn, he's even capable of something like grabbing eggs."
What's wrong with grabbing your eggs? I haven't even penetrated your ass yet.
Zheng Chaoyang vindicated Wan Feng: "Do you know why we always lose to other teams in other systems when we compete outside? It's because you play too cleanly. I decided to ask Comrade Xiao Wan to be our second coach and teach you how to use tricks.
All the members of the General Administration team were dumbfounded. This guy was going to be their coach!
Someone stood up triumphantly, hands behind their backs like a big-name chicken shit.
"Stand up, stand up, and get in a mixed row."
Wan Feng was acting like a bully in front of Zheng Chaoyang. Although these guys felt extremely aggrieved, they managed to stand in a row under Zheng Chaoyang's gaze.
"Comrades! The court is a battlefield. We don't believe in friendship or competition first here. Once we're on the court, we must give it our all, using any means necessary to defeat the opponent. So, as long as the rules allow, any means can be used."
"But fouls are not allowed by the rules, right?" someone objected.
"That's only if the referee can see. If they can't see it, then there's no foul, right? Everyone has their share of dirty tricks, and it's a sign of skill to keep them secret. I'll teach you all my tricks in the future, and even if we don't win first place this year, we'll at least get second. But I see you're all so sloppy and lacking in spirit, like your wives cheating on you."
"What? This guy is scolding us."
"Even though I don't have a wife yet, I still feel angry when I hear that. How about giving him a beating?"
"Yes, beat him up."
So, the members of the General Administration team rushed forward.
A shrill voice cut through the sky: "The police are beating people!"