Chapter 40: At the End of This Street Lies the Civil Affairs Bureau

As for He Bin, he had gotten up early and arrived at a children's basketball training class using the address Ling Huanzhen had sent him via WeChat.

As the kids dribbled past him, He Bin felt a bit puzzled... Could this be the part-time job Ling Huanzhen was introducing him to?

He approached the front desk and gave his name.

The receptionist smiled warmly, handed him a bottle of water, and pointed to the basketball court at the far end. “President Ji is already here, waiting for you.”

President Ji?

He Bin, confused, walked down the corridor to its end.

Could it be that even part-time job interviews were now conducted personally by the president?

He pushed open the door and saw a standard indoor basketball court. A middle-aged man in sportswear was skillfully dribbling under the basket, then jumped and scored effortlessly.

“Ji… Ji Bo?”

The man called Ji Bo tossed the ball to He Bin, wearing a calm and trustworthy expression. “Nice to meet you. I’m Ji Bo. My current career is in youth basketball training, so I chose this place for our meeting.”

He Bin stared at him, his heart pounding uncontrollably.

“Though I haven’t played in official games for two or three years, I still often play with old friends. Come, see if my skills have declined.”

Ji Bo clapped his hands, rolled up his sweatpants, and took a defensive stance.

This was the best 3D player in the CBA to date. Ji Bo not only had exceptional long-range shooting ability but, five years ago in the CBA semifinals, he had one-on-one defended Jiao Yingfeng—Asia’s three-point king—limiting him to under 15 points in a single game.

“Please teach me!” He Bin took a deep breath, determined to seize this opportunity and catch up as much as possible in the limited time.

Three days later, the match between Jin Province University of Finance and Economics and Chengjiang College concluded. The Finance University won 98 to 88, successfully advancing to the regional tournament.

During these days, although many local universities had requested practice matches against Ningchang University, Ling Huanzhen knew clearly that the level in the province was vastly different from other schools in the Southeast Division. Even training constantly with Jin Province University of Finance and Economics would bring little progress and little adaptation to different playing styles.

Ling Huanzhen asked Coach Tao from Finance University for contact numbers of several university coaches, hoping to schedule practice matches.

However, Ling Huanzhen didn’t expect that among the coaches, he was just a nobody.

He first contacted the coach from Chujiang University, who had briefly coached him before. A teacher for a day is a father for life, after all. The coach wouldn’t want to lose face with his “son,” right?

Ling Huanzhen humbly inquired and then brought up the topic of arranging a practice match between the two schools.

The Chujiang University coach casually declined: “Ah, Xiao Ling, we really have no time. The schools just merged for joint training—we’re practicing with the Fusheng Industrial University team. Let’s arrange it next time.”

Ling Huanzhen fully understood the meaning behind the refusal. Everyone sought to reach higher levels; teams wanted practice opponents stronger than themselves to improve.

And the overall level in Jin Province, where Ningchang University was located, was average at best.

The coach’s unspoken message was clear: if you want to be Chujiang University’s practice opponent, you should at least be at the level of Fusheng Industrial University—that’s a national top-eight team!

But Ling Huanzhen was known for his persistence. If Chujiang University was out of reach, he could try a slightly weaker team... The rising star of the Southwest Division, Xiangnan Industrial University, might be open to practice matches.

However, Ling Huanzhen underestimated the inflated confidence Xiangnan Industrial University had gained after reaching the Southwest top four last year. Their coach was enthusiastic about arranging a match, but their players started to complain loudly over the phone.

“What’s so great about Ningchang University? If we play, just send the second team!”

“Exactly. Always playing weak teams won’t help us improve!”

“If anything, Jin Province University of Finance and Economics is worth playing against!”

Hearing the players’ arrogant chatter, Ling Huanzhen felt veins throbbing in his temple. These kids really didn’t know their place!

The head coach of Xiangnan Industrial University kindly explained, “Don’t underestimate them. Their head coach this year is Ling Huanzhen! Jin Province Finance University already lost to Ningchang University! I suggest you take this practice match seriously.”

But the assistant coach reminded, “We already agreed to three matches with Xiangcheng Polytechnic University this month.”

The head coach apologized to Ling Huanzhen, “Coach Ling, as you heard, how about we try to schedule a match next month?”

“Alright, thank you. Let’s keep in touch next month.”

For Xiangnan Industrial University, their main rival and focus was the Polytechnic University in the same division.

Ling Huanzhen continued scrolling through contacts and suddenly saw a familiar name: Guan Qian.

Wasn’t this his middle school classmate? Surprisingly, he was the head coach of Shenghai University’s team! Being old classmates, arranging a practice match shouldn't be too much to ask.

After Guan Coach answered, he immediately caught on to Ling Huanzhen’s intention and skipped the pleasantries.

“Ling Huanzhen, do you remember the girl with two braids who sat in front of you?”

“Uh?”

“She really liked you and always tried to talk to you, but you never paid attention.”

“Did… did I?”

“She watched all your games during your CBA glory days, even when she was heavily pregnant, she never missed your finals.”

“So, that girl… mother and child are safe?” Ling Huanzhen stammered, feeling uneasy. Why was he being told this? He certainly wasn’t the father.

“Of course, mother and child are safe! That girl is my wife! And you dare to arrange a practice match? You want my wife and son to keep cheering for you?”

After saying this, Guan Qian hung up.

Ling Huanzhen scratched the back of his head hard, genuinely feeling this grudge was utterly baffling.

No, he had to call back. Your wife is a fan of me, that’s not my fault!

The moment he dialed again, Guan answered immediately, his voice icy: “If you want to arrange a match this month, forget it. Our team is going to Qin City University for practice matches. I can talk to Qin City and let you bring a few players to watch. Then maybe we can find a chance to let your players get on the court.”

Ling Huanzhen tilted his head, blurting out, “There’s… such a good thing?”

“Damn it… my wife was just behind me…” Guan’s voice was filled with gritted teeth.

“So, you’re a henpecked husband!”

“Want to die? Or cancel the observation?”

“No, no, no, I wish you and your wife a long and happy life with many children!”

“Screw you. Long and happy? Do you want my wife’s life?”

“Sorry, sorry. Growing old together is nothing wrong, right?”

“Hmph!”

Qin City University was a national top-eight team, with first-class tactical execution and individual combat ability.

They even had a star player in the first-tier league, Yang Huaiyu, known as the “King of Pull-up Shots” in the Southeast Division.

Ling Huanzhen exhaled deeply, having spent the entire afternoon waiting for Guan Qian’s call, hoping for good news.

Finally, before dinner, Guan replied: [Qin City University agreed, but they don’t want the practice match details to be public. You may bring only two players and no video recording is allowed.]

Ling Huanzhen immediately responded: [Understood. I will abide by their conditions. Thank you, old classmate.]

Guan: [Hmph! (makes a rude gesture)]

Ling Huanzhen stared at the strange string of characters for a while before realizing the meaning.

Sigh, how childish for people our age.

Once confirmed that they could attend the match in person, Ling Huanzhen pondered who to bring since only two players were allowed.

One forward and one guard, definitely the strongest in each position.

Since Guan agreed to help find a chance to get Ningchang University’s players on the court, if they performed well and posed a threat, perhaps they could tempt Qin City University into a practice match.

Having made this decision, Ling Huanzhen called Jiao Yingfeng.

“I need to borrow your prized disciple for a couple of days. I’m taking him to Qin City to watch Qin City University play Shenghai University,” Ling Huanzhen said, then softened his tone, “Is that okay?”

Jiao Yingfeng was straightforward: “Sure, take him. Let him have some fun.”

“Jiao, you actually allow him to have fun?” Ling Huanzhen looked incredulous.

“This kid’s heart’s not wild. He knows what he should do. Besides, at that age, it’s good to get out and see the world.”

Ling Huanzhen then called Zhou Zhexiao. “Hey, want to come with me to Qin City University?”

There was a brief silence, making Ling Huanzhen suspect the “Big Devil” had NBA experience and looked down on domestic strong teams.

Just as he thought Zhou might hang up, Zhou’s cold voice came: “Pull-up King Yang Huaiyu?”

“Ah… haha… With you around, who dares call themselves the Pull-up King? It’s like showing off a big sword before Guan Yu or carpentry skills in front of Lu Ban. But brother, you have to accept that your body is only eighteen.”

The eighteen-year-old Zhou Zhexiao hadn’t endured the rigors of NCAA and NBA.

“Alright, let’s see how impressive Yang Huaiyu really is,” Zhou replied.

Ling Huanzhen frowned, sensing a trace of envy in the Big Devil’s voice.

Could it be… Xia Chiyi is a fan of this Yang Huaiyu?

The so-called Big Devil’s biggest fan actually switching allegiance?

This was going to be interesting.

Ling Huanzhen acted quickly, booking high-speed train tickets to Qin City and reserving a hotel within half an hour.

As for Xia Chiyi, during his final round of 21-point shooting practice, Jiao Yingfeng beckoned him over.

“Master, what is it?”

“Want to sprint and see if you can finish within 70 seconds?”

Xia Chiyi tilted his head, regulating his breathing and heart rate. “Master, shouldn’t you try for a new record at the start of training?”