Black Ball ......

The word popped up in Cheng Fei's head. In fact, he doesn't have any concept of "black ball" at all, but he has heard of "black boxing", which is mostly a stall when people in the dormitory brag at night. However, there are huge profits, there are huge profits, there are people to do this industry, there are people to engage in such things, especially in a country like the United States, where the gap between the rich and the poor is extremely obvious and the capital is extremely abundant.

However, even if, as Bobby said, he can earn thousands of dollars by playing a game, Cheng Fei knows in his heart that this kind of means of making money may be a great drain on the body. Not to mention that Cheng Fei doesn't want to take any professional basketball path now, even if it is, this kind of black ball that plays with his life, where is it a choice to be responsible for his professional path?

Thinking of this, Cheng Fei said lightly: "Thank you, Bobby." But I still refuse your kindness. ”

After speaking, Cheng Fei turned around and walked away without looking back.

Bobby didn't bother with the other party like a salesman, he stood calmly in place, didn't speak, and watched Cheng Fei slowly walk away. He picked up his phone, dialed a number, whispered a few words, and hung up. Then, Bobby trotted a few steps to the front of the black 'color' sedan, pulled the 'door' and got into the passenger seat.

"He refused?" The man in the back seat asked with a smile as he smoked a thick cigar.

"Yes." Bobby shook his head, "I really don't understand how the Chinese think about things." ”

"Chinese?" The man's eyes gleamed in the flicker of the cigarette butt, "Interesting." ”

"Boss, I have to tell the truth." Bobby shrugged his shoulders and said, "This guy's potential is very limited, and his physical fitness may be outstanding among the yellow race, but here we can only be considered ordinary." As you know, Blackjack has always had the worst bounce. And to get through this Chinese kid, I'm afraid we have to spend a lot of work, why bother? ”

"Take a long-term view," the man said with a smile, "and in the underground basketball world, there has never been a Chinese figure." But do you know how many Chinese there are in New York and even in the United States? How many tickets were sold to Chinese for each of our games, who are crazy fans of the sport......"

"This is outrageous!" Bobby shook his head, "It's not necessary! ”

"Did you know that Old Jackson has a Japanese player?" The man in the back seat continued, "The height is only 1.80 meters, and the physical fitness is much worse than the average player, so it can be said that we can't look down on all aspects. However, Jackson Sr. can rely on this Japanese player to trap a bunch of Japanese idiots, they have money, and the key is how you want to pocket them. ”

"That Japanese ......," Bobby 'revealed' a disdainful expression, "only one set of 'flower' fists and 'legs' that walk the field." ”

"That's enough." The man spoke briefly, taking a drag on his cigarette.

"If we want to get Jackson off the horse, it's useless to embroider the 'legs' with 'flowers', the TOP is the only way......" Bobby said.

The man in the back seat waved his hand, "Am I not better than you know?" Take it easy and take your time! ”

Bobby nodded and said to the driver, "Let's go, let's go meet with old Jackson." When we come back in the evening, see what good news awaits us. ”

********************

22 April 1997.

"Cheng flew up in the air at this time, too high, too far, oh! Oh, my God! I didn't even know how many seconds had passed, there really were many seconds, and I saw Cheng Zaifei, and by that time, Blackjack had already fallen to the ground," Bruce sat in the classroom, describing yesterday's scene with the characteristic teasing energy of a black man, "He was like me, his mouth was wide open, ah! Yes, it's that big! It's just stunning! ”

Cheng Fei carried a schoolbag on one shoulder and passed by a *** entrance.

Bruce glanced at Cheng Fei at a glance and immediately shouted, "Hi, Cheng! Our heroes! ”

Cheng Fei was stunned for a moment, turned around and walked over, and looked into the classroom: "Bruce, what are you doing in someone else's classroom?" ”

"Of course promote your heroic deeds, it's so handsome!" Bruce gave a thumbs up.

Cheng Fei shrugged his shoulders, "Why don't you go to our class to publicize?" ”

"Ah...... It's already advertised! Bruce grinned, 'showing' his snow-white teeth, "Come in order!" ”

"You're ruthless!" Cheng Fei gave Bruce a thumbs up, "Come here, I have something to look for you!" ”

“OK！” Bruce excitedly jumped off his desk and walked towards Cheng Fei.

"Cheng Fei!" A voice as clear as a silver bell shouted in Chinese. Don't think about it, it must be Lin Zixuan. It turned out that this Taiwanese 'girl' child was in this classroom, and Cheng Fei never knew about it. "I just heard Bruce say that you beat the number one streetball master, it's amazing!" Lin Zixuan, who had long hair, smiled like a 'flower' and said to Cheng Fei.

"Ah......" Cheng Fei blushed, "What's the matter, it's just that the other party released water." ”

"Hee-hee...... You're still humble! Let's not pay attention to the virtues of the Chinese. Lin Zixuan said with a smile, "By the way, I mentioned you to my grandfather, saying that you are the only Chinese in the school besides me, from the mainland, and grandpa is very interested in you, so he specially asked me to invite you to have a light meal tonight." All right? ”

"Ah......" Cheng Fei's face turned even redder, "Invite me in person, aren't you worried that other classmates will be jealous?" ”

As soon as he finished saying this, Cheng Fei reacted. The people next to him, including Bruce, all looked at him and Lin Zixuan inexplicably, completely unaware of what they had just talked about. Of course, they speak Chinese, and who understands them? Cheng Fei smiled embarrassedly, nodded and said, "Okay, then, let's go together after school this afternoon!" ”

"Fool!" Lin Zixuan smiled, and then beckoned.

Cheng Fei 'touched' and 'touched' the back of his head, and left with Bruce. Seeing that Bruce was about to ask about the content of the conversation just now, Cheng Fei hurriedly spoke, preemptively: "Bruce, yesterday that person asked me to go to their company to play black ball, and Black Jack is also in their organization, do you know the specific situation of this kind of black ball?" ”

"Black balls? Black 'colored' balls? Bruce looked at Cheng Fei suspiciously, "You mean underground basketball?" ”

"Yes. Underground basketball, he seems to say the same thing. Cheng Fei said solemnly, "What is that?" ”

"Oh my God! I adore you so much, Cheng! Blackjack's boss has taken a fancy to you and invited you to play underground basketball! Bruce's face was distorted with excitement, "You know what? The people who play underground basketball are all crazy people, and I heard that they jump higher than Michael, and when they dunk, they are even more ferocious than Drexler. It turns out that Blackjack is an underground basketball guy, no wonder! No wonder! Oh! How many exciting things! ”

"Have you ever seen underground basketball?" Cheng Fei asked.

"Nope!" Bruce shrugged his shoulders not without regret.

"I heard from the man that there is a huge market for underground basketball. Since the market is so big, there should be many people who know it, and the scene is also very large, so many people should go to see it. Is it expensive? ”

Bruce shook his head: "Cheng! That's not a question of fares, there's no fares at all. All the spectators who go to the scene are invited by those underground basketball organizations, and of course, there will be many old spectators who apply directly, or they bring their friends to see it. It is impossible to see underground basketball without power, especially without money! ”

"I see." Cheng Fei nodded.

"I've heard people say that the underground basketball kingdom in the United States is very huge, especially in New York, where there are dozens of basketball organizations, large and small, and the competition between them is very 'fierce', because in order to rob those who are rich, they must constantly improve their level and poach talented players from all over the world." Bruce sighed and said, "However, then again, this kind of underground basketball is illegal, and the government is turning a blind eye to them, because there are very huge profits. ”

"They belong to ***?" Cheng Fei asked.

"Not exactly, they are pure businessmen, but they are always inextricably linked to ***." Bruce shrugged his shoulders, in fact, he knew very little, "Cheng, did you promise them?" There was a strong tension in the tone.

"Nope." Cheng Fei smiled, "I wasn't interested, so I refused." ”

Bruce breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good, New York is already 'messy' enough, and it's better not to go to the troubled waters of underground basketball." However, I still want to congratulate you, it is a great honor to have someone take a fancy to you! Either way, you're going to treat me to dinner! Invite me to dinner tonight! ”

"Huh?" Cheng Fei remembered that he was going to Lin Zixuan's house tonight, and hurriedly said, "I'...... I don't have any money! ”

"Oh! I remember! There is one more very important thing that has not been done! Bruce patted his head and whispered, "I counted the money I won yesterday, four thousand nine hundred and twenty dollars!" Journey! I've decided, you take the four thousand dollars, and the rest is mine! ”

“NONO！” Cheng Fei hurriedly waved his hand, "I didn't bet, it's all your money!" ”

Bruce said, "If you didn't win the game, my ten dollars would have been thrown into the water." Besides—" he looked around and whispered, "Actually, there is still a part of Richie 'Meng', but he slipped away early, and I haven't mentioned yesterday's events since I saw it today......"

Cheng Fei smiled. He knew that Richie 'Meng' must have made a bigger bet on Blackjack, just to see his Cheng Fei's jokes. And to be able to defeat Blackjack that day, although the other party played abnormally, it can be regarded as a bad breath anyway!

"I really can't take your money." Cheng Fei said.

"Looks like you don't think of me as a brother anymore," Bruce said, "everybody's on hand, so be it, fifty-fifty." I'm really upset if you don't......"

****************

At night. Cheng Fei took the more than 2,000 dollars given by Bruce and walked around the largest supermarket nearby, and when he came out, he was carrying a large shopping bag with all kinds of food and drink. The food and drink supplies in the United States were different from those in China at that time, and there were a lot of canned food and paper packaging, and almost everything was packaged, so it was very easy to take. Due to the urgency of time, Cheng Fei didn't have time to 'fine' select, so he took it indiscriminately, and specially bought some cigarettes and alcohol. After a while, it was 'spent' more than 400 US dollars. At that time, it was considered a high cost to buy food.

Of course, these things are what he wants to mention to Lin Zixuan's house. When he first boarded the 'door', Cheng Fei was unwilling to be empty-handed.

Carrying a heavy plastic bag, when walking to the place where he had made an appointment with Lin Zixuan, Cheng Fei suddenly recalled the scene a few years ago for some reason. Yu Jing, the 'girl' child who once gave Cheng Fei the feeling of first love, also invited Cheng Fei to be a guest at home. At that time, Cheng Fei was so young and stupid that he didn't take anything, he went to other people's houses to eat empty-handed, and went again and again, never thinking about mentioning anything.

After the death of his parents, Cheng Fei suddenly matured a lot.

In life, we always have to experience some setbacks before we can gain something, and perhaps it is also an unbreakable truth......

When Lin Zixuan saw Cheng Fei, her eyes widened. Their family background can be imagined, their grandchildren depend on each other, it is impossible to have a stable and rich economic source, perhaps relying on the previous family background, life must be quite poor. These things of food and drink, although very clichéd, can be of considerable help to them.

After shirking, Lin Zixuan also accepted Cheng Fei's kindness with a red face.

Lin Zixuan took Cheng Fei to her and her grandfather's home in the United States, which was also the only home. Their house in Taiwan has long since been sold to someone else, and their relatives have stopped intermingling.

"Please come in!" Lin Zixuan said with a smile, and took Cheng Fei into a room on the second floor.

Sure enough, as Cheng Fei expected, the furnishings in her home are extremely simple, not much better than Cheng Fei's, but because they are well maintained, they look much neater. There are two rooms in total, the small room is given to Lin Zixuan, and the large room is used for cooking, entertaining guests, and grandpa's diet and daily life. As soon as Cheng Fei entered the 'door', Lin Zixuan introduced him to his grandfather.

Lin Zixuan's grandfather looks older than expected, with a stiff back, skin and bones, and his eyes are 'cloudy', but his eyes are more energetic, and his 'spirit' state is not bad. He had long heard that Cheng Fei was Chinese, and immediately said in Chinese with a Taiwanese accent: "Hello, young man, welcome!" ”

"Hello grandpa!" Cheng Fei responded politely. Grandpa's thin hand enthusiastically pulled Cheng Fei and sat down on a simple rattan chair, Lin Zixuan hurriedly ran over and began to boil water, ready to make tea for rare guests.

"I heard, you are from Hubei? Where exactly? The old man asked, his voice clear and powerful.

Cheng Fei hesitated for a moment. "Yichang." He thought to himself that Jing 'Gate' might be too famous, but Yichang has the Three Gorges Dam.

"Good place." The old man praised, "When I was stationed in Yichang, I went to the 'cave' three times, and the scenery there was very good!" ”

"Huh?" Cheng Fei was stunned, "Garrison? Grandpa was a soldier back then? ”

Lin Zixuan, who was busy, turned around, her eyes full of nervousness.

"I am a veteran of the Anti-Japanese War, and I was a small platoon commander in Chen Cheng's army back then," the old man's eyes suddenly flashed, and he seemed to have returned to the years filled with gunpowder, "Little Japan is very powerful, but we still beat them back, and I was also present when they surrendered!" ”

Cheng Fei's heart froze slightly. Kuomintang troops...... What he is most worried about is what political topics will arise in the process of 'communication' with Lin Zixuan. This is good, Lin Zixuan's grandfather is the Kuomintang Chiang Kai-shek's troops, so nine times out of ten they are defeated from the mainland and retreat to Taiwan. Political topics are too sensitive, so what should I do if we continue to talk about them!

The old man seemed to see Cheng Fei's thoughts, and he smiled slightly: "Young man, don't be nervous." We are a family, my hometown is in Sichuan, when the Sichuan people fought in the Anti-Japanese War, all four brothers of my family went into battle, and the three brothers died in the hands of little Japan, and I am still alive......"

"Grandpa!" Lin Zixuan brought the tea, "Don't talk about those things about the old sesame seeds and rotten grains!" ”

"I'm happy!" The old man smiled heartily, "I haven't been back to my hometown for fifty years. Today, I saw half of my fellow countrymen, who should be fellow villagers, and my heart was 'excited'! After I arrived in Taiwan, I married your 'milk' and 'milk', gave birth to your father, and never 'dealed' with mainlanders again. Young man, we are all a family, a family does not speak two words, old man, I am happy today, specially prepared a bottle of aged wine, and when we will eat, we will drink it together! ”

"It's better to be respectful than to obey!" Cheng Fei arched his hand and smiled.

"Hahahaha! Good! The old man looked very excited, "If I have the chance, I must go back to China to see, and Xuan'er, also go back with me to see how beautiful your grandfather's hometown is." If I could, I would like my grave to be repaired in the small village where I lived, and in case I die in the United States, my urn will also be returned, and then I will ask Xuan'er and the young man! ”

"Grandpa! How can you say something that doesn't make sense! Lin Zixuan was a little angry.

"Jingle bell—" The phone rang suddenly. The old man picked up the phone on the table, with a smile still on his face, and said loudly: "Hello-" Suddenly, he seemed to have changed as a person, and instantly aged dozens of years, his face was gray, and his expression was nervous.

In Cheng Fei's suspicious gaze, the old man nodded slowly, and his smile was gone.