area51novel Chapter 145
Chapter 145
"Coach Li from the provincial youth team will be watching the training next week," Zhang Weiguo said. "You should perform well and try to get his attention."
Lin Feng nodded again.
Zhang Weiguo stood up and patted him on the shoulder.
"To be continued tomorrow."
Lin Feng returned home at 7:30 p.m.
Cheng Yuxin had already prepared the meal and set it on the table. It consisted of three dishes and a soup: braised pork ribs, stir-fried water spinach, cucumber salad, and tomato and egg drop soup. A plate covered the soup bowl, and the dishes were also covered with bowls to keep them warm.
Hearing the door open, she stood up from the sofa.
"You're back? Go take a shower, the food's still warm."
Lin Feng changed his shoes and went into the bathroom. The hot water rinsed over his body, and the soreness in his muscles slowly dissipated. He closed his eyes and let the water rinse for five minutes.
When they came out, Cheng Yuxin had already rearranged the dishes and poured two bowls of soup.
He sat down, picked up his chopsticks, and took a piece of pork rib. The meat was stewed until very tender, and the bone came out easily.
"It's delicious," he said.
Cheng Yuxin sat opposite him, holding the soup bowl in both hands, watching him chew slowly and deliberately.
"Are you going again tomorrow?" she asked.
"go."
"What time will you be back?"
"Around seven o'clock."
Cheng Yuxin nodded and didn't ask any more questions.
After dinner, Lin Feng washed the dishes. Cheng Yuxin stood at the kitchen doorway, watching him. The tap gushed, the dishes spun under the running water, and foam seeped through her fingers.
"Lin Feng," she suddenly spoke, "can Liu Jian really manage your software?"
Lin Feng didn't turn around. "Pretty much. He's smart enough, but a bit impulsive. I told him to keep a detailed record of every transaction and reconcile the accounts at the end of the month."
Cheng Yuxin remained silent for a while.
"Do you want me to help him with that? I've finished my thesis anyway, and I don't have much to do during the summer vacation."
Lin Feng turned to look at her.
Cheng Yuxin's face was a little red under the kitchen light.
"You...aren't you going to a sports school? I don't have anything else to do. Helping you with the accounts and writing envelopes is better than you doing it all by yourself."
Lin Feng looked at her for a few seconds.
Then he said, "Okay. I'll pay you three hundred a month."
Cheng Yuxin opened her mouth as if to say something, but then swallowed it back.
She turned and left.
Lin Feng heard her go back to her room and close the door.
He turned back and continued washing the dishes.
The trial training officially began on June 10th.
Lin Feng arrives at the sports school promptly at 4 PM every day and trains until 7 PM. Sometimes he trains until 8 PM, and even if Zhang Weiguo doesn't urge him, he doesn't leave on his own. Other team members leave one after another, and the basketball gym becomes less and less crowded until only he and a few boarding students remain.
He practiced dribbling until his hands ached, shooting until his arms could barely lift, and shuttle runs until his legs were weak. But every time he wanted to stop, he would think of Zhou Jianguo's words—"Don't end up like me, regretting it when you're over thirty."
So he continued practicing.
Coach Li from the provincial youth team came to watch twice. The first time was on June 12th; he watched half of the training session, left without saying anything, and the second time was on June 18th; he watched the entire session and even took notes in a small notebook.
After training, Coach Li called Lin Feng to the sidelines.
"You're improving faster than I expected," he said. "But you still have a lot to learn. Your physical abilities are pretty good for your age, but your explosiveness and core strength are lacking. Your shooting percentage dropped a lot after you changed your shooting form, which is normal because you're still adapting. Your dribbling is still the same old problem; your center of gravity is too high."
He closed the notebook and looked at Lin Feng.