"What are you telling me this for? We don't know who will win or lose in tomorrow's finals..."
"I know Ningbo No. 4 High School can't stop you... and Huipu High School might be able to stop me..."
"Is Huipu really that strong?"
"Don't underestimate Huipu! Your current playing style is somewhat similar to theirs, but still a bit short! In terms of teamwork, Huipu High School is a national benchmark! Let alone the Zhejiang region, even nationwide, Huipu High School is top-tier... Otherwise, they wouldn't have repeatedly reached the national finals top four and challenged the strongest Tsinghua... If I unfortunately lose to Huipu High School tomorrow... remember to send a message to those old guys above on the East Division stage..."
"Your grievances are yours to settle... You should boost your morale and strive to defeat Huipu High School in tomorrow's game, defeat them on the East Division stage, not ask me to carry messages..."
Liu Yudong waved his hand, looking a bit tired, "I originally wanted to bring a trophy to No. 4 High School... but now it seems I was a bit overconfident... Even if I can become the top high school student in Zhejiang, on the national stage, without a group of strong teammates to rely on, it's ultimately hard to achieve anything significant... I'm already a bit tired of this stage... I want to go to a higher and stronger arena to prove my strength... So, the message I want to ask you to deliver is to tell my old friends that I will be waiting for them on the professional league stage..."
"You've decided to enter the professional league?"
"Yes! The Shuanglu team has invited me several times, and I haven't made up my mind... If I can defeat Huipu High School tomorrow, I will give my all in the East Division. If I lose tomorrow, my high school basketball career will end... The door to the professional league has already opened for me..."
"That's good! I wish you the best in the professional league, to kill gods and slay Buddhas, to become an unbeatable god of the court..."
"Thank you for your kind words, I like this blessing! I also wish you continuous wins on the national stage... I know you're still holding back..."
"Haha! Likewise~"
"By the way, I heard some news. This year's Shanghai Nanmo, besides their ace point guard Liu Wei, has somehow recruited a super rookie who is over 2.2 meters tall, named Yao something?"
"Yao Ming?"
"That seems to be the name! He's a complete rookie, just started high school, but according to our coaching staff, this Yao has immense potential. Once he grows, he might surpass the super center Dazhi from Tsinghua High School, becoming the strongest center in the national competition, and even in China's professional league..."
Yao Ming? He Ximon is familiar with this guy!
Is Yao Ming also playing in the national competition? Didn't he go directly to sports school? It seems this world is a bit magical.
The growth trajectories of many characters have changed. However, if Liu Yudong can play in the national competition, why can't Yao Ming?
He Ximon, after experiencing various encounters, now possesses super strong psychological resilience.
"Thanks for the reminder! Even if Yao Ming is strong, as long as he's a rookie, he'll inevitably have flaws... Flaws make things manageable..."
Although Zhang Zhenpeng was unhappy that Liu Yudong approached He Ximon, he couldn't bear to leave and kept listening intently to their conversation.
When he heard Liu Yudong mention that Shanghai Huamo High School had recruited a super rookie who was likely to dominate the national competition, Zhang Zhenpeng became restless. After all, he was a man who aspired to become the strongest player in Chinese high school basketball...
"Is the Yao Ming you're talking about better than me?" Zhang Zhenpeng asked Liu Yudong, who was preparing to leave.
Liu Yudong shook his head, "I haven't played against him, so I don't know his true strength... Anyway, the coaching circles have very high expectations for his future. You need to work hard too, Zhang Zhenpeng..."
"You know my name?"
"Of course! You are the hottest candidate for Rookie of the Year today, how could I not know?"
"Hahaha~ I really didn't expect I've become so famous..."
After being praised by Liu Yudong a couple of times, all of Zhang Zhenpeng's previous unhappiness vanished. Liu Yudong's stern expression now seemed amiable in Zhang Zhenpeng's eyes.
"Oh, right, I almost forgot you're also a senior... Then, let's meet again on the professional league stage!"
He Ximon didn't reply, and Liu Yudong assumed He Ximon hadn't decided whether to pursue a professional player career...
But Liu Yudong believed that He Ximon, like him, wouldn't give up on basketball.
Waving goodbye, Liu Yudong left gallantly, bidding farewell to He Ximon and Zhang Zhenpeng.
"Hey, boss, you didn't say a word to Old Liu's agreement, it's pretty uncool..."
"What did you just call me?"
"Boss! You're our captain, and you played so outstandingly today, who else could you be but our boss?"
"It doesn't sound like a good person... You should call me captain, or just Ximon..."
"You still haven't answered my question?"
"Which question?"
"Why didn't you accept Liu Yudong's agreement?"
"Because the professional league I'll enter in the future might not be the same professional league he'll enter..."
"Hmm?" Zhang Zhenpeng didn't quite understand what He Ximon meant, but he sensed something unusual in his words. He continued to press He Ximon, but He Ximon refused to say another word...
After returning to the hotel, Zhang Zhenpeng suggested that to celebrate Zhuzhong securing first place in their group, they should go out for a big meal, and he would treat.
As soon as he finished speaking, he was stopped by both Zhang Yide and He Ximon!
It was only first place in the group stage, not first place in the Zhejiang region, it wasn't worth celebrating!
Zhang Zhenpeng was clearly tired of being confined to the hotel and wanted to go out, so he found an excuse to celebrate.
Zhang Yide and He Ximon knew exactly what these energetic youngsters were up to.
But tomorrow was the final promotion match, and no one could guarantee their advancement before playing it.
Therefore, stability was the most important thing for the team right now!
"We'll watch game footage tonight!"
He Ximon made the final decision, receiving strong support from head coach Zhang Yide.
"Ah? More game footage..." the teammates lamented in unison.
"Cui Pangzi recorded today's game between Huipu High School and Ningbo No. 4 High School, and we can analyze our opponents for tomorrow..."