Han Mei had talent, but people with talent were a dime a dozen in this world.
If Han Mei truly wanted to stand out, she had to make a stunning impression.
Lin Zhilan, the talent scout, was only responsible for recognizing potential, not for after-sales service.
As she was leaving the Han family home, she paused, holding onto the doorframe, and turned around to say, "If you want her to run fast, the child needs to eat well, and you'll need to buy her a proper pair of running shoes."
Wang Xiuzhi nodded hastily, "I understand. I'll buy them tomorrow."
Once Lin Zhilan and Su Lang had left, the whole family's eyes were fixed on Han Mei.
Han Mei gently kicked the corner of the table and said nothing.
She had grasped a little of what was said.
She was a fast runner, and that seemed to be a good thing.
But the idea of going to a sports school still didn't register with her.
There were only two weeks left until the sports meet, and Commander Han trained Han Mei every evening.
Before this, Han Mei had been running recklessly.
Commander Han started teaching her the basics—fixing her crooked posture, her pigeon-toed stance, and the way she swung her arms.
Wang Xiuzhi, determined to secure her daughter a spot with the state's provisions, spent a fortune: nine yuan and eighty cents, plus five industrial coupons, to buy a pair of Hui Li track shoes from Guangzhou.
These shoes immediately replaced the thermos as the most valuable item in the Han household.
While Lin Zhilan went to watch Jiang Chengzhou play ball, Commander Han was coaching Han Mei on the sidelines.
Wang Xiuzhi, for once, didn't busy herself with her garden plots but kept her eyes on her daughter the whole time.
Han Mei's face carried no smile.
Lin Zhilan assumed it was just from exhaustion and didn't ask further.
Soon, the sports meet kicked off.
With military involvement and it being the first sports meet of the army school district's school, the event was quite lively.
The principal had even hung a banner at the school gate.
The podium was covered with red tablecloth, and a row of enamel cups was set out.
Division Commander Qin also attended, sitting on the podium alongside other military leaders and school officials.
The field was mostly filled with students, and there weren't many families like Lin Zhilan's who came out in full force.
After the principal's and Division Commander Qin's opening speeches, the sports meet officially began.
Lin Zhilan naturally went to watch Jiang Chengzhou's basketball game first.
There were only two teams, and the opposing team consisted entirely of sixth graders.
Jiang Chengzhou and his team didn't have much of an advantage in height.
The ball first came to Jiang Chengzhou. As he dribbled it past half-court, the defender from the other team—a tall, sturdy boy—used his arms like doors to block Jiang's view.
Jiang Chengzhou didn't force his way through. He caught a glimpse of Yan Yuan out of the corner of his eye, positioned at the left baseline.
With a flick of his wrist, the ball flew precisely to him.
Yan Yuan caught it, jumped, and released—his movements smooth and seamless. The ball arced through the air in a beautiful trajectory.
Swish—nothing but net!
Cheers erupted from the sidelines.
Lin Zhilan grabbed Su Lang's sleeve and squealed along with the kids.
Linlin giggled, not understanding a thing, but joining her mother in squealing.
Su Lang sighed helplessly and whispered in his daughter's ear, "Sweetheart, you don't have to scream, don't hurt your throat."
Linlin touched her fingertips together, "But Mom's screaming too."
Su Lang glanced sideways at Lin Zhilan.
Aunt was completely absorbed in the game, paying no attention to what father and daughter were saying...
Since those sixth graders were older, having their first basket scored on made them look bad.
Their center player posted up near the basket, received the ball, and turned around to shoot over Liang Ping.
Liang Ping wasn't short, but his defensive experience was practically zero. The opponent swayed past him by half a step and scored.
Liang Ping looked a little downcast. Jiang Chengzhou patted his shoulder, "It's okay, we'll get the next one."
The game was tight. By the last two minutes of the first half, Jay's team was down by one point.
The opponents had figured out that Liang Ping was the weak link and adjusted their strategy, attacking his side.
Just as it seemed the opponent was about to score again, Jiang Chengzhou lunged from the side, throwing himself between the shooter and the basket, swatting the ball away violently.
The ball went out of bounds, the referee blew the whistle, and the first half ended.
Jiang Chengzhou got up from the ground, his elbow scraped and bleeding.
Lin Zhilan frowned and called them over.
It was only a minor injury. Lin Zhilan quickly disinfected it and stuck on a small piece of white tape.
Su Lang, holding Linlin, acted as their makeshift coach.
The main problem lay with Liang Ping.
Su Lang first complimented them, then looked at Liang Ping and said, "Your goal in the second half is to stick to their key player like glue. Don't be afraid, got it?"
Liang Ping wiped the sweat off his forehead on his sleeve and nodded.
The referee's whistle soon blew again.
Jiang Chengzhou had torn off the tape at halftime and bowed his hands in a pleading gesture toward Lin Zhilan.
He wanted to win.
The tape on his elbow was affecting his movements.
Lin Zhilan shook her fist at him, unable to suppress a smile.
The second half was an even tougher battle.
In the final two minutes, Jiang Chengzhou scored a basket, tying the game.
The opponents, knowing Jiang Chengzhou and Yan Yuan were the key players, rapidly adjusted their defense to lock them down.
The opposing point guard dribbled the ball past the three-point line, running down the clock, aiming for a last shot.
Jiang Chengzhou closed in on him, sticking to him like a piece of taffy.
The opponent couldn't shake him off, and when he passed the ball, his pass was too high.
Yan Yuan leaped into the air and tapped the ball.
The ball changed direction and flew toward the sideline.
Liang Ping caught it on instinct.
He froze, not expecting the ball to come to him.
Jiang Chengzhou blocked the opposing players and yelled at Liang Ping, "Shoot!"
Liang Ping gritted his teeth, lifted the ball over his head, and pushed it forward, relying on feel.
The entire court stared at the ball.
It felt like the world went silent for a moment, then erupted into deafening cheers.
Liang Ping stood still, his arm still in the shooting pose.
His mouth hung open, his eyes wide as saucers, unable to believe the ball had gone in.
Jiang Chengzhou rushed over, wrapped his arms around him, and shook his shoulders, "It went in! You made it! We won!"
Liang Ping's eyes reddened.
He felt like he’d never won at anything before—this was the first time.
Lin Zhilan was beside herself with excitement; if not for the baby in her belly, she would have jumped for joy.
The final whistle blew, and the score was set at 20 to 18. The last crucial shot had secured victory for the younger grade's basketball team.
The boys hugged in a huddle, sweat stains all over their jerseys.
After celebrating, Jiang Chengzhou sprinted over to Aunt. "Aunt, we won!"
"I saw it," Lin Zhilan said, handing him some orange soda pop she'd prepared earlier. "Here, share this with them."
Jiang Chengzhou grinned and tossed the bottles to his teammates one by one.
Then he twisted off his own cap, tilted his head, and took a big gulp.
Linlin smacked her lips, looking a little envious.
Su Lang coaxed her, "We don't have that, baby. When we get home, Dad will make you some malted milk."
Linlin pouted, "But I want soda pop."
"Soda pop bites." Su Lang scared her.
Linlin puffed out her chest, 'I'm not afraid!"
