He Ximeng was fully prepared for the arduousness of his path to the NBA.
He was already well-versed in the overt and covert rules of the league!
When faced with challenges, he would meet them head-on. For every difficulty, He Ximeng would overcome it!
As long as he wasn't plagued by injuries and remained healthy, steadily improving his skills, He Ximeng believed he could pave a smoother, more accessible path for Chinese players like Da Zhi, Da Yao, and A Lian…
What He Ximeng needed to do next was quietly await college invitations. If possible, he hoped to receive invitations for NBA team tryouts…
Before Kobe left, he extended his right fist.
“Come on, let’s get acquainted! I’m Kobe, Kobe Bryant, a man determined to become the strongest basketball player in the world…”
“Uh…” Faced with Kobe’s sudden, over-the-top enthusiasm, He Ximeng felt a bit awkward, but he still extended his right fist and bumped Kobe’s. He knew this was Kobe’s way of acknowledging his performance. Gaining Kobe’s approval was no easy feat.
It was fortunate that Kobe was still at the tail end of his adolescence, his rebellious nature not yet fully manifested, and he was still willing to trust his peers… In that regard, He Ximeng had gotten a great deal!
Friendships forged before adulthood were always purer and more steadfast than those made after.
“Simon, He Ximeng! My former dream was to coach an NBA team and lead players to win so many championship rings they’d get tired of them… My current dream is to join an NBA team as a player and then lead my teammates to win so many championship rings they’d get tired of them…”
“Your ambition is so long-winded, not grand at all!” Kobe scoffed. “It’s like you have the skill but always hide it, as if afraid others will discover how good you are… What are you afraid of? A man fights if he’s not convinced! Once you enter the league, never be soft, understand? Don’t let others think you’re easily bullied! You should look up to me for this in the future…”
“Uh… okay, you’re the creditor brother, whatever you say is right…”
“If we get the chance in the future, let’s be teammates, okay?”
“Sure…”
After embracing Kobe goodbye, He Ximeng began to pack his emotions and his gym bag.
Forging friendships with future league stars like Kobe, Ginobili, Gasol, and Nowitzki was the greatest gain from his participation in the summit.
Tomorrow was the last day of the summit. Scouts would compile reports on the players they observed over the past few days and provide them to their respective teams overnight for reference.
College teams or NBA teams particularly interested in these 24 high school players would usually send representatives for face-to-face meetings or issue invitations on the final day. This was considered a greater display of sincerity. Of course, invitations could also be extended via phone calls or emails, but the sincerity in those methods clearly couldn't compare to that of a personal meeting.
He Ximeng wasn't worried about not receiving an invitation. Even if he didn't, the sixty thousand US dollars in his hand should be enough for him to apply to a university and pay his first year's tuition.
The only thing He Ximeng was puzzled about was where that kid John had disappeared to. Logically, John shouldn't have run off…
Just as He Ximeng was racking his brain, John's dust-covered figure finally appeared in the gymnasium.
“Thank goodness, I haven’t missed it…”
“Are you sure you haven’t missed it? The scrimmage is already over!” He Ximeng said with a hint of displeasure.
“I already know the result of the scrimmage! I just made sure you didn’t miss tomorrow’s exam…” John said, pulling out the TOEFL registration form He Ximeng had applied for from his backpack.
“Thanks… I guess you still have some conscience…” He Ximeng took the registration form and continued, “But shouldn’t you explain why you were so late?”
“Um… that is, I didn’t have enough pocket money, couldn't afford a plane ticket…”
“Didn’t you spend all your plane ticket money at the bar?”
He Ximeng mercilessly exposed the truth, making John a bit embarrassed.
“Then how did you finally scrape together the money for the ticket?”
“Well… you remember you asked me to take a letter to Mr. Tinker?”
“So, you completely forgot about it earlier, didn’t you?”
“Heh heh… Anyway, I remembered it in the end, gave it to Mr. Tinker, and borrowed some money for the plane ticket from him on the side…”
“You’re truly exceptional…”
“You flatter me! At least I didn’t fail my mission!”
“And the recommendation letter?”
“Only got one!” John said, handing He Ximeng the letter signed by Mr. Tinker.
“So, you only milked Mr. Tinker, huh?”
“Milked what? Don’t use your country’s slang, okay? By the way, Mr. Tinker wants to see you! That was the condition for him lending me money for the plane ticket and writing you a recommendation letter!”
“I know! Once I’m done here, I’ll fly to Oregon with you to see Mr. Tinker…”
“That’s good! By the way, can you reimburse my round-trip airfare? After all, this was Mr. Tinker’s money…”
He Ximeng couldn't help but laugh at his good friend's antics. All the pocket money he'd painstakingly saved was spent at bars and hotels. Could women really be sustenance?
John shot He Ximeng a look of disdain.
“You’re a loner, aren’t you? No girlfriend, right? I can tell just by looking at you, you silly goose, you don’t understand the charm of women…”
He Ximeng ignored John’s rambling and took out a wad of US dollars from his prize money, handing it to him.
“Wow~ Looks like Nike compensated you with a lot of prize money!” Seeing He Ximeng’s stacks of cash, John immediately stopped his chatter and couldn't help but whistle.
“Is this enough?”
“It’s enough! It seems to be around five thousand, enough for another round trip! Simon, I’m definitely going to be your friend…”
As John spoke, he winked at He Ximeng.
“I told you long ago, we’d be great friends! Don’t worry, stick with me, and I guarantee you’ll have endless money…”
“Really? I spend money like crazy though…”
“Uh…” He Ximeng paused, suddenly remembering that this guy had managed to annoy his sugar daddy with his spending. With his current financial situation, he might genuinely not be able to afford his lifestyle…
“Haha! I’m just kidding! I’m not your girlfriend, how can I spend your money? At most, I’ll just borrow it from you first…”
“However, now that you mention it, it reminds me of something. Do you have a securities account?”
“What’s up? You want to invest in stocks?”
“Make a little money! Interested in buying together?”
“I don’t have savings, but I can operate it for you for a fee!”
“It’s settled then! I have fifty-five thousand US dollars here. I’ll keep five thousand for living expenses, and the remaining fifty thousand, I want you to buy the Nasdaq index with it! Buy high! Also, see if you can leverage it, and if so, go all in on the leverage! After we make money, we’ll split it four to one, me four, you one…”