69novels Chapter 2 Harmonious Coexistence
Chapter 2 Harmonious Coexistence
"Yes, I'll be much better than him in the future!"
Kobe couldn't help but wipe away non-existent sweat from his forehead, then gritted his teeth and said.
"Oh, even if you're that good, there's no basketball or court here right now!"
As soon as Wang Kai finished speaking, the white space they were in suddenly changed, and a dazzling basketball court with purple and gold accents appeared at their feet.
"Welcome to Staples Center, my Chinese boy. This is where I've played for sixteen seasons. How about it? Isn't it magnificent and beautiful?"
Kobe began to sense something was off about this white space. He had just been thinking about whether he could take the Chinese kid to see Staples Center when the arena appeared.
Kobe wondered if he could get Gigi back to him, but unfortunately there was no response.
"Wow, this place is huge! Is this your stadium? You must be really rich. I've only ever watched games at the floodlit stadium in our county. It's just a concrete table, and your butt hurts after sitting there for a while. How many people can this stadium hold at most?"
"This place can hold a maximum of 20,000 people, but every game here is watched by millions or even tens of millions of people."
Kobe Bryant was somewhat emotional when he returned to Staples Center, the place where he fought for sixteen years. From its opening in 1999 to his retirement in 2016, it can be said that a large part of Kobe's life was spent here.
"Twenty thousand people? Wow, that many people, you are really amazing. Every game has such a large audience. My dad and his family can't do that. Sometimes the stadium isn't even full, with only a hundred or so people."
"Alright, now that we have the court and the basketball, let me show you what real basketball is all about."
Kobe, now back in his purple and gold jersey, gently spun the basketball in his hand, and it obediently began to spin on his index finger.
"Hey, this is interesting. You're amazing! How did you do it? Teach me!"
Seeing the basketball spinning like a sprite in Kobe's hands, Wang Kai was truly amazed. In his mind, basketball seemed to be all about who was taller and who could swing their elbows the most.
"There's something even more amazing coming, just you wait and see."
Wearing the purple and gold jersey, Kobe felt as if he had returned to his peak, rather than the "fat Kobe" who had been retired for four years.
Dribbling, crossover, between-the-legs crossover, behind-the-back dribble—the basketball seemed to be an extension of Kobe's body, obediently spinning and jumping beside him.
With changes in rhythm and speed, and the manipulation and manipulation of the body, it is undeniable that Kobe's basketball skills, honed through countless trials, have risen to the level of art. Even Wang Kai, who has no love for basketball, can feel the beauty and energy in Kobe's movements.
Ignoring Wang Kai's surprise, Kobe felt the energy in his body at that moment. He dribbled towards the basket, jumped one step inside the free-throw line, switched hands between his legs and swung his arm, and the basketball slammed into the basket like a fiery meteor.
"Clang—"
After completing a dunk that he could only achieve during his peak years, Kobe raised his arms high, as if he had returned to the Staples Center filled with "MVP" chants.
"Wow, you're amazing! You're really amazing! You're much better than my dad! Is this the kind of basketball you were talking about where you don't need to practice the basics? Teach me! I want to learn right now!"
Wang Kai was indeed stunned by Kobe's series of moves, especially the between-the-legs windmill dunk, a move he had never seen before.
Think about the games my dad and his friends played. Forget about dunks, there were hardly any fast breaks. It was just a bunch of people crowding under the basket and swinging their elbows.
At that moment, Wang Kai indeed forgot his dream—to become the Vieri of China—and was now thinking that he could dunk like Kobe.
"Uh, you can't dunk yet because you're too short, but I know how to make you grow taller. Also, you can learn to dribble. You don't need to practice the basics; just start by imitating my movements."
Kobe knew he couldn't have Wang Kai start from the basics right now, nor did he expect Wang Kai to become a great player like him in the future. He just hoped to guide Wang Kai to love basketball. Even if Wang Kai couldn't make it to the NBA in the future, he hoped to at least make him a basketball fan and look forward to watching an NBA game. That way, he would have a chance to send Wang Kai to the United States. Once in the United States, Kobe felt he should have many ways to help Wang Kai connect with his real self.
Wang Kai successfully caught the basketball Kobe threw to him. After all, he had practiced the basics for a while under his father's insistence. However, when he tried to dribble like Kobe on the wooden floor, the basketball was not so obedient. Wang Kai stumbled and fell during the simple crossover dribble, and his movements were completely out of shape.
"Watch me, kid. Don't control the basketball with your palms, use your fingers. Use your fingers to guide the basketball. Lower your center of gravity. No, not sticking your butt out, lowering your center of gravity. Yes, don't move your feet randomly yet. Good. Hold on. Try dribbling with both hands, making a figure-eight motion between your legs. Hmm, good."
Having gained life experience, Kobe was no longer the fanatic he once was. Perhaps some of those traits remained, but by this time he could control his emotions. He used encouragement and persuasion to guide Wang Kai, helping the young Wang Kai forget the tedium of practicing basic skills.
Under Kobe's guidance, Wang Kai forgot about time, or rather, time seemed to cease to exist in the space he and Kobe were in.
After an unknown amount of time, Wang Kai and Kobe had lost all sense of fatigue. Wang Kai was finally able to smoothly complete the crossover dribble and could easily perform it while moving.
"Wang Kai, Kaiwa, why aren't you awake yet? What will your father and I do if you're gone!"
Just as Wang Kai was engrossed in dribbling practice, a sound began to emerge from the space, gradually becoming clearer.
"Hey, that's my mom's voice. She's calling me. I should go home for dinner."
Wang Kai was suddenly awakened by his mother's voice. He seemed to have forgotten Kobe's presence. He was just thinking about going home for dinner when, in the next moment, Wang Kai's figure disappeared from the stadium.
"You damn Chinese bastard, don't forget what I told you, you idiot!"
With Wang Kai's disappearance, Staples Center and the basketball also disappeared, and the space returned to a state of white. Kobe sat sadly on the ground, afraid that Wang Kai would never come back, and even more afraid that Wang Kai would forget the memories of spending time with him.
Inside the county hospital, Wang Kai, who had been unconscious for twenty-four hours, was held in his mother's arms. Wang Kai's father had already begun discussing with the doctor about transferring him to another hospital, because Wang Kai had no external injuries at this time, but was still unconscious.
Wang Kai smelled the scallion scent on his mother, and his consciousness gradually returned.
"Mom, I'm hungry. I want to eat your braised beef."
"Ah, son, you're awake! Ah, doctor, Old Wang, hurry, Keva's awake!"
Next, accompanied by the doctor and his father, Wang Kai underwent a series of examinations, but still no problems were found. The doctor at the county hospital was afraid of taking responsibility and hoped that Wang Kai's parents would take him to the provincial capital for a more detailed examination, but Wang Kai refused to agree no matter what.
"No, I can't go. If they find out I have an African American in my brain, I'm doomed."
When he was a child, Wang Kai watched the Superman cartoon. He felt that if someone found out that there was a person in his head, he might be locked up in the hospital for a lifetime of examinations. So he hid his memories and didn't tell anyone.
At Wang Kai's insistence, the family went home after the check-up. In the neighborhood, the parents of the temporary goalkeeper who had tackled Wang Kai were anxiously waiting for the Wang family. After all, as the owner of the largest restaurant in the county, Wang Kai's father had extensive connections. The top two officials of the Public Security Bureau, Finance Bureau, and Land Bureau were all Wang Kai's family's regular clients. Their child had knocked out the only son of this important figure, and they didn't know how the other party would deal with them.
Wang Kai's father accepted the expensive gifts brought by the other party, said a few words and let them go. He didn't intend to punish the other party, after all, his son seemed to be fine, so there was no need to make things difficult for the other party over this matter. The reason why Wang Kai's father was able to turn a small braised food restaurant into the largest catering company in the county was because of "making money through harmony".
"Dad, do you know Kobe Bryant?"
When Wang Kai got home, he tried asking his dad about Kobe Bryant. His dad was a long-time NBA fan who had been following the league for a long time.
"I know, he's a young guy on the Lakers, a bit arrogant, with that flashy afro, he doesn't look good at all."
"Oh, so the Lakers' arena is called Staples Center?"
"No, the Lakers' home arena is called the Atlantic Forum. But I saw on the news that they're building a new arena, but I don't know what it's called. Hey, how do you know all this? Are you interested in the Lakers? Did that fall wake you up? Let me tell you, son, the Lakers have no future. Only Shaq is really good. The Bulls are the best, Jordan is the best. Son, let me tell you, if you ever quit soccer and come learn basketball with me, I'll go to the provincial capital and buy you a Jordan jersey and shoes, okay? Look how dangerous soccer is."
Wang Haijun was determined to have his son follow in his footsteps, never mentioning how he broke his leg years ago.
At this moment, Wang Kai was a little angry. He felt that the black man in his mind was just deceiving him, and he wanted to confront him face to face.
After finishing his mother's braised beef and other delicious meals, Wang Kai returned to his room.
"Kobe? Black Egg? That one?"
Wang Kai tried to call out to Kobe softly, but there was no response in his mind.
"Damn, could we really have been scammed?"
"Forget it, forget it, I'll try it at school tomorrow and see if my crossover dribble is still smooth!"
In just two days, Wang Kai, who felt he had experienced a lot, quickly fell into a deep sleep. After he was completely asleep, he returned to that pure white space.
When Wang Kai saw Kobe lying lifeless on the ground, he immediately shouted, "You liar! You're not good at all! And the Lakers' home arena isn't called Staples Center, it's called something like Atlantic! You've been lying to me all along!"
"Oh God, my Chinese boy, you're finally back. Thank you for not forgetting me, thank you."
To Wang Kai's surprise, Kobe rushed over to protect him the moment he heard his voice. The hug was so warm that Wang Kai was at a loss for words.
Kobe was so excited because he couldn't feel the passage of time in this space, and after Wang Kai left, the space lost all its function; there was no magnificent Staples Center, and no sound or movement.
Having gained a sliver of hope to save his future and his daughter's, Kobe would rather die again than give up any chance to save himself and his daughter, fearing that Wang Kai would never return.
"Let me go, you big liar."
"I'm not lying to you, my Chinese boy. You have to understand, I had only been in the league for two years in 1998. At that time, I was indeed just average. But from 2000 to 2002, I teamed up with another fat guy and won three championships. Later, I kicked that fat guy out and won two more championships on my own. That was when I was at my best. Also, the Lakers' home arena is indeed the Atlantic Forum, but next year, in 1999, the new arena will be completed and will be called the Staples Center."
Faced with Wang Kai's accusations, Kobe patiently explained. At this moment, Kobe had long forgotten his past greatness and glory. He was very patient when facing the person who placed his only hope in him.
"Okay, fine, your explanation makes sense. Hey, what happened to that huge stadium? It's gone! Hurry up and bring it back, I want to practice!"
"Kai, or should I call you King? What should I call you? The key thing now is that you need to confirm how you got back here. I think everything here should be under your control. More precisely, this should be your soul space. You have to control it, otherwise, once you leave, I'll just be stuck here in a daze."
"Oh, I see! I just fell asleep and then I came in. That should be it. From now on, you can come in whenever I'm asleep. As for what to call me, just call me Xiao Wang! Oh, no, just call me Xiao Wang. My dad is Lao Wang."
"Alright, I think I'm in your soul space, so I understand this little surprise in your Chinese language, haha. Come on, my little Wang, let's go back to Staples Center. I can't wait to teach you something newer."