Time passed in my daze, and it was already noon. Countless times I picked up my phone and put it down again, but I still hadn't received a reply from Ye Zhi. This made me anxious, so I couldn't concentrate on anything else. Looking back on the entire morning, it seemed I'd spent all my time daydreaming and checking my phone.
A short while later, the sound of a basketball being dribbled came from the basketball court. I stood at the window and looked out; it was Nie Dangdang. Judging from the way he gritted his teeth as he shot, he was probably still angry about me standing him up again last night. Counting yesterday, this was the second time. Putting aside his basketball skills, as a coach, I am clearly unqualified when it comes to integrity.
I composed myself, changed into the basketball uniform and professional basketball shoes I had just received that morning, and went downstairs.
I stood next to Nie Dangdang and asked, "Don't you have class today? How come you have time to play basketball?"
Nie Dangdang ignored me, and sure enough, he was angry because I stood him up.
I explained to him very sincerely, “Last night, there was something really, really important, but I ran away halfway through, which was definitely wrong of me… I have realized my mistake, so I specially bought you a gift as an apology.”
As I spoke, I took out a pair of Jordan brand wristbands from the bag containing the basketballs. I had originally bought them for myself, but in order to soothe Nie Dangdang's wounded heart, I had to reluctantly give them up.
Nie Dangdang turned to look at me, still trying to maintain a composed demeanor, but his hands betrayed him. He took the wristband from my hand and was immediately impressed by the quality of the Jordan brand, then looked at me with delight.
"Coach, I love this wristband so much!"
"Then can you let bygones be bygones about what happened last night?"
"I don't care about anything as long as you teach me how to play basketball... but you can't lie to me anymore. I've already made a promise with all the classmates who like playing basketball; I'm going to show them my crossover dribble. I don't want them to laugh at me..."
"Okay, I'll teach you now. You'll be the one on defense."
As I spoke, I picked up the basketball that had fallen to the ground, and then said to Nie Dangdang, "Actually, this move isn't difficult at all. With more practice, you can do it. But in a real game, your control of the rhythm is the most important thing. Also, your anticipation of the defender's footwork is very important. Only when you're one step ahead of him can you create enough shooting or driving space... And anticipation ability is a reflection of a person's basketball awareness... First, master this move, and then train your basketball awareness. Once you can combine these two points, your basketball skills will definitely improve significantly... Watch closely, I'm going to get past you..."
As I spoke, I took a step forward with my right foot, then quickly stepped back and switched the ball from my left hand to my right. After creating space between myself and Nie Dangdang, I easily threw the ball, which landed precisely in the net.
Nie Dangdang looked completely bewildered, then said to me, "Coach, didn't you just say you were going to get past me? Why did it turn into a shot?"
"Basketball is all about feints and real attacks... Let's do it again..."
...
And so, I spent my entire lunch break teaching Nie Dangdang to play basketball. It's physically demanding, and I was so focused on pushing myself that I put in all my effort. By the time I stopped, I was completely exhausted...
I lay shirtless on the ground, half-closing my eyes as I looked at the sky, which was as blue as a tile, and the white clouds floating around Cangshan Mountain.
Nie Dangdang, a very respectful child, didn't even have time to rest before running to the nearby convenience store to buy two bottles of energy drinks and giving one of them to me.
I then sat up, leaned against the railing, unscrewed the bottle cap, and took a big, solid gulp.
After feeling a bit better, I said to Nie Dangdang, "I'm planning to move out. Tell the other kids that I'll be teaching you basketball for two hours every weekend from now on. I won't be able to teach you anytime during the week."
"Didn't you just move in?"
I took a sip of water, then looked up at the direction of Cangshan Mountain for a long time before saying to Nie Dangdang, "In the adult world, there are many choices, some of which can be particularly frustrating, but you have to choose them... So... choose what you think is most important!"
Nie Dangdang obviously didn't understand what I was saying, but I felt a strange mix of emotions. I said to Nie Dangdang, "These next few days, you'll have to work a little harder. Go to the porridge shop outside every night and buy a bowl of healthy porridge to take to her."
"You mean Yang Ruhua?"
"Um."
Nie Dangdang grinned mischievously, "Do you like her? ...You care about her so much!"
I paused for a moment, then replied, "Don't talk nonsense... The injury on her leg was from when we were playing basketball. I hurt her, so I have to take responsibility."
"Then why don't you go and deliver it yourself? Are you afraid she won't like you?"
I replied impatiently, "You're such a little kid, and you're here discussing who likes whom? Don't you think that's ridiculous?"
"Coach, you seem really angry..."
"I'm angry that you're so useless, your mind is full of immoral thoughts. Can't you focus on something positive and uplifting? ... The heavy responsibility of national rejuvenation rests on your generation. Can't you have a sense of mission?"
"Our generation shoulders the mission of the nation, while your generation is responsible for romance...hehehehe!"
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