Before leaving, He Ximeng asked Zhang Zhenpeng if he had a video recorder he could borrow. He wanted to use it to film his shooting movements for timely correction.
Around 1995, video recorders cost about two to three thousand yuan. However, the average monthly salary for ordinary families was only around two hundred yuan. This meant that saving for a whole year was barely enough to buy a video recorder, and most families couldn't afford to buy one.
"No problem!" Zhang Tian'ai agreed immediately before Zhang Zhenpeng could even speak, without even asking what He Ximeng intended to do with the camera.
Zhang Zhenpeng spread his hands, feeling speechless encountering such a sister.
"Just a video recorder won't do! You'll also need tapes and a player..."
"I forgot about that part... Never mind, it's too much trouble... I'll think about it later..."
After the Zhang siblings left, Cui Tianci asked He Ximeng, "Do you want to keep training?"
"One last set!"
In the final set, He Ximeng shot another 100 three-pointers. While he was becoming more proficient with the push shot, his accuracy actually declined compared to the second set!
Especially in the last 50 shots, as He Ximeng's energy gradually depleted, his hit rate dropped significantly.
Don't underestimate three-point shooting; it actually consumes a lot of physical energy!
Ultimately, He Ximeng's hit rate for the day settled at 35 shots.
25 shots, 39 shots, 35 shots!
This was the result of He Ximeng's three-point training today. An overall hit rate of 33% wasn't outstanding, but for He Ximeng, the most important aspects of today's training were recovering his shooting touch and mastering the essence of Curry's push shot. Overall, He Ximeng was quite satisfied with the training outcome.
After finishing the extra practice, He Ximeng did a few stretching exercises to relax his muscles, then helped Cui Fatty clean up the gymnasium. By the time they turned off the lights, locked the doors, and left the school, it was already completely dark outside.
"Fatty, thanks for your hard work today!"
"What are you talking about! We're good brothers; this is nothing... But, Ximeng, your training intensity today was really something... I was almost exhausted, how are you holding up?"
"I have to hold up even if I'm not feeling it! To achieve a good ranking in the national tournament, I must improve my strength as quickly as possible..."
"Speaking of which, I've noticed you've made significant progress recently..."
"The national tournament is full of experts; this improvement isn't enough..."
"Don't tell me you're seriously aiming for the national championship?" Cui Tianci got so excited that his bicycle almost hit the curb.
"Be bolder and remove the question mark! I must aim for the national finals in this tournament... As for whether I can contend for the championship, it will depend on luck... What do you say, Fatty? Dare to join me on this journey?"
"What's there not to dare! I'm a member of the basketball team, after all!"
"Work hard... If I become a professional player in the future, I'll hire you as my agent..."
"Ximeng... Why do I feel like you're using lines that those cheesy TV bosses often use to trick people..."
"Hey! How can you compare me to those ridiculous TV shows? We're brothers..."
"In TV shows, brothers are meant to be betrayed..."
"You watch too much TV! The college entrance exam is just around the corner, what are you watching TV for? Focus more on basketball..."
"Uh... The college entrance exam is approaching, shouldn't I be focusing on my studies?"
"Sigh... Given your grades... I think you should focus on basketball. Train hard with me, stick close to me, and brother will carry you..."
Upon returning home, He Ximeng, as usual, gave his mother a hug. Many Western habits aren't great, but he really appreciated the habit of hugging between family members.
After showering and eating dinner, his mother was watching TV in the living room. He Ximeng initially wanted to watch TV with her for a bit, but his mother sternly forced him back to his room.
"There are 291 days left until the college entrance exam. What are you watching TV for? Go do your homework and review your lessons..."
He Ximeng was speechless. If his mother knew he had already given up on the college entrance exam, would she go mad? The thought sent a shiver down his spine. He decided it was best to deal with the national tournament first... As for the college entrance exam, he would worry about that later...
Back in his room, He Ximeng genuinely spread out his homework. While the English assignment was completed smoothly, the Chinese homework was passable. He found it really difficult to tackle math, physics, chemistry, and biology...
Coupled with the significant physical exertion from his training in the evening, the sleepiness was overwhelming. He Ximeng simply closed his textbook, stuffed it into his backpack, and went straight to bed...
In his dream, He Ximeng dreamt that Kayla brought their two children to China to find him... He Ximeng handed the children over to his mother to take care of, and he and Kayla went into the small room and locked the door...
Then, the alarm clock rang!