In a small building in the suburbs of New York, the snow is falling outside the window, but the small room is warm.

Bruce, the black kid, sat on the floor, sucking on the noodles with fine beads of sweat on his forehead. Cheng Fei was already hungry, and after adding a bowl of noodles to Bruce, he also ate a lot. With the beautiful red, red, yellow and yellow soup, the two quickly ate the small pot cleanly. The house is also filled with the rich aroma of tomato 'chicken' egg noodles and the steaming heat, which contrasts strongly with the heavy snow and cold wind outside.

"Wow-" Bruce let out a long sigh and wiped his mouth meaningfully, "It's delicious!" I've never eaten such delicious noodles, Cheng, your craftsmanship is so 'good'! He shook the chopsticks in his hand, just now he was completely using the chopsticks to twist the noodles into his mouth, this kind of magic tableware from China, Bruce is not used to using.

Cheng Fei smiled: "To be honest, before I came to the United States, I had never been in the kitchen. This level will make you full of praise, if you go to China to eat those famous restaurants around the world, you will definitely have no words to praise! ”

"I've eaten at restaurants in China, and there's right next door to my house," Bruce shook his head disapprovingly, "and the food is delicious, but it's still too far from yours." ”

Cheng Fei smiled, "That kind of restaurant is not called Chinese food, it has been Americanized." When I first came to the United States, my uncle and aunt took me to a Chinese restaurant for dinner. Seriously, that kind of food is either tasteless, or it tastes weird, in short, it's hard to eat, it's too far from real Chinese food......"

Bruce was satisfied, lying on the ground smacking his lips contentedly, and began to fantasize about what a more delicious tomato 'chicken' egg noodle would look like. After a while, when Cheng Fei went to wash the dishes, he suddenly jumped up, sat on Cheng Fei's 'bed', and asked, "Cheng, why didn't you go to your uncle's house today?" ”

Cheng Fei was silent for a while, and said, "I've been there, they have other things." ”

Bruce 'revealed' an inexplicable expression: "What's the matter?" Didn't you say that the 'Spring' Festival is the most important festival for the Chinese? ”

"Yes, at least when I was in China, every household lit firecrackers and ceremonial 'flowers', and at noon or at night, a whole family gathered around the table, chatting, eating the New Year's dinner over and over again, while watching the 'Spring Festival' party on TV," Cheng Fei washed the dishes, put them aside, and sighed, "Perhaps, they have been out for too long, they are not Chinese." ”

“Shit！” Bruce's eyes widened, "How long has it been since it came out is also Chinese!" How long have they been in the United States? My ancestors have been here for centuries, but my dad has always told me that Jamaica is my homeland and that there are still our relatives there. My dad said that he made money here, so he went back to Jamaica to open a coffee processing factory, and my relatives made a lot of money selling coffee over there, Cheng, do you like coffee? ”

Cheng Fei frowned, "It's okay, it's just too bitter." ”

"That's my favorite drink," Bruce collapsed on Cheng Fei's 'bed' and sighed, "I really wish I could go back to my hometown sooner." Cheng, don't you want to go back to China? ”

Cheng Fei lay beside Bruce, looked at the dilapidated ceiling 'flower' board, and muttered, "I'll go back...... What if you go back? You still have relatives in Jamaica, but my only relatives are in New York, and there is no home for me in China. You know, home is very important to Chinese. ”

"That's right," Bruce nodded, "but your uncle and aunt are so bad for you." Your money is in their hands, and they will give you a little living expenses every month, that's your money, Cheng! It's not theirs, you can totally take it to court and get your money back! You know, the school we go to is very low, and it's the poor people who let the children go to that kind of place, how many white people have you seen? ”

Cheng Fei smiled: "You don't know, Bruce, I'm not an adult yet, besides, they are my relatives, and they won't swallow my money." Chinese children generally don't care about money, and when they have money, they will come around, so it's better to 'hand' it over to them for safekeeping. School, it's okay, as long as there is a place to go to school. ”

Bruce shrugged, shook his head and said: "You Chinese are always easy to trust others, I tell you, living in the United States, especially here, you must learn not to trust others." No one can believe it, except yourself! ”

Cheng Fei smiled: "What, you don't even believe me?" In China, friends are very important, and there is a saying that you can 'stick' a knife in both ribs for a friend, understand? ”

Bruce shook his head, "I don't understand", he suddenly sat up with a smile and shouted, "Quick, look what my gift is for you!" ”

Cheng Fei was stunned for a moment, "Wouldn't it be too rude to dismantle it now?" We Chinese wait for the giver to leave before watching. ”

"Nope! Demolish now! Bruce snatched the box in his hand and tore it open with three strokes and five divisions. It turned out to be a jewelry box. He opened it with a wicked smile and pulled out a "ring".

Cheng Fei took it and took a look, it was a big ring with "chicagobulls" written on it...... orldchampion ......", his eyes lit up, and he shouted: "This is the NBA championship ring!" Where did you get it? Really? ”

Bruce laughed and said, "If it's true, I'll give it to you?" ”

Cheng Fei also smiled, put it on his fingers, shook it, and praised: "The workmanship is really 'fine', just like the real thing!" ”

"Haha, you haven't seen the real thing!" Bruce laughed, "I remember you saying you like basketball and Michael, so I gave you this." By the way, why don't you ever go to the stadium to play? Even if you don't know how to play, you can just watch me play. Stay in the classroom every day, read a book when you come back, don't you feel bored? ”

"I'm used to it," Cheng Fei said with a smile, "I want to complete my credits as soon as possible, and then I can go out and find a job to earn money." What team did you say you were going to sign up for last time? ”

"Richie 'Meng' their Broncos are very popular, and they often play games in the 'flower' garden in the middle of the street." Bruce shrugged, "I'm on the second team now, but it's so hard to get into their main team, Richie 'Meng' guy is very arrogant and always lukewarm to me. If you can't get in, forget it! ”

"It's not good for Richie to be a 'Meng' person," Cheng Feizheng said, "You'd better not get involved with him, be careful of suffering." ”

"I'll take it." Bruce nodded. He stood up and stretched, and stood in front of the window to look at the snow. Suddenly, he beckoned to Cheng Fei and whispered, "Come on!" ”

Cheng Fei thought something had happened and hurriedly walked over. Through the old glass, you can see a 'girl' in a red 'color' down jacket, walking through the snow, her long hair is covered with snow 'flowers', and her fair face is flushed. This 'girl' child is in the same school as them, and Cheng Fei only knows that she often passes by here, and must also live nearby, and seems to be Asian. However, Cheng Fei never knew her name and nationality.

"It's her ......," Cheng Fei nodded.

"Do you know, I heard that these women are also Chinese." Bruce said.

"Really?" Cheng Fei was stunned, "I thought it was Japanese." If it was Chinese, I should also say hello to her. ”

"You've got the hang of it." Bruce gave a thumbs up, "You've finally got something to do besides studying, go!" Go say hi to her! ”

"No, no!" Cheng Fei waved his hand again and again. In the past few months, in order to forget the pain, Cheng Fei has been immersed in his studies, almost ignoring what is happening outside the window. Bruce was almost the only friend he had ever 'made'. My uncle's family arranged for him to live here alone, which was also beneficial and quiet. Suddenly asked him to say hello to a 'girl' child, Cheng Fei was not mentally prepared for a while.

"Let's go! Walk! Bruce pulled Cheng Fei, opened the door, stood on the platform of the iron staircase, and shouted downward, "Hey! This guy wants to get to know you! ”

“Shit！” Cheng Fei was taken aback and said in a low voice, "Don't betray me, it's obvious that you want me to say hello." ”

The 'girl' stood still and looked up. Through the light in the room, Cheng Fei clearly saw her appearance, her facial features were 'fine' and well-proportioned, which could be regarded as a standard Asian beauty 'girl'. She squinted her eyes, obviously facing the light, and couldn't see the appearance of Cheng Fei and the two of them clearly. She seemed to recognize it quickly, though, and smiled politely. Obviously, she had also noticed Cheng Fei, who was also Asian, in school, and knew that he lived here.

"Speak!" Bruce flew at the top of the pitch and whispered, "Don't look like a headless 'chicken'!" ”

Cheng Fei cleared his throat, mustered up courage, and said in Mandarin: "Hello, are you Chinese?" ”

The 'girl' child was obviously stunned, her eyes were wide open, and there were snow 'flowers' hanging on her eyelashes, which looked more and more beautiful.

Seeing the appearance of the 'girl', Cheng Fei was disappointed. Hell, Bruce, what she said she was Chinese, this obviously didn't understand what I said. I knew what I would say when I came out to say hello, and how I thought she looked like a Japanese 'girl' child. He quickly dug out a broken Japanese sentence from his head and said, "Silky Marseille (I'm sorry) ......"

The 'girl' child was stunned again, and suddenly said in Chinese Mandarin: "Are you Chinese or Japanese?" "It was obviously Mandarin, but it was pronounced weirdly.

This time it was Cheng Fei's turn to be embarrassed. Bruce shouted happily, "Did you hear that? She's Chinese, right? ”

Cheng Fei smiled at the 'girl' child and asked, "Where are you from?" ”

The 'girl' also smiled and said, "I'm Taiwanese." ”

"It turned out to be Taiwanese," Cheng Fei suddenly realized, "Hello, my name is Cheng Fei, I didn't know that there were Chinese in the school, I always thought you were Japanese." So I didn't know you earlier, and if there is anything I need help with in the future, just say it directly. ”

The female child showed a sweet smile and said, "My name is Lin Zixuan, and I am very happy to meet you." ”

“Hey！” Bruce poked Cheng Fei, "hatareyoutalkingabout?" ”

"Just introduced my name." Cheng Fei said in a low voice, "Then what should I do?" ”

"Idiot, invite her to come up and sit down, you have to communicate more thoroughly!" Bruce said with a wicked grin.

Cheng Fei hurriedly leaned out and said, "Uh...... Why don't you come up and sit for a while? ”

Lin Zixuan smiled and shook her head: "It's too late, let's change the day!" My grandfather is still waiting for me. ”

Cheng Fei scratched his head and hurriedly said, "Yes, yes, then let's change the day...... Uh......"

Lin Zixuan raised her little hand and waved it, walked away, and suddenly turned around and said with a smile: "Cheng Fei, Happy Spring Festival!" ”

Hearing these familiar words in a foreign country, Cheng Feideng felt a warm current surging through his body, he waved his hand and shouted: "Happy Spring Festival!" ”

At this time, China must have begun to prepare for the New Year's dinner, the sound of firecrackers is about to go off, and at night, the city is full of beautiful fireworks. After Bruce left, Cheng Fei stood outside the 'door' in a daze, looking at the cold foreign sky, and hot tears flowed down his cheeks unconsciously......

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

The days passed quickly, and in the blink of an eye, the 'spring' and the warm 'flowers' bloomed, Cheng Fei has been in the United States for nearly half a year, and he has gradually become accustomed to the food here and the life of a person. His uncle and aunt rarely came to see him, and he rarely came over, except for the occasional meeting once or twice. Cheng Fei could see that his aunt didn't like him, but his uncle was pitiful, after all, blood was thicker than water, and family affection was constantly parted. Although Cheng Fei came to the United States not to be lonely, and it seemed even more lonely when he arrived in the United States, he still felt satisfied, after all, there were his relatives dozens of kilometers away. He is not alone in this world.

Academically, Cheng Fei went very well, ranked among the best in the exams, and became much more proficient in American-flavored English. If this continues, he will be able to complete all his courses in less than two years and graduate early. As for Lin Zixuan, their 'friendship' is not too much, on the one hand, Cheng Fei is busy studying, and on the other hand, because Lin Zixuan is Taiwanese, this makes Cheng Fei feel a little estranged, presumably the other party also feels like this. But after all, they speak the same language, and when they occasionally meet, they will 'communicate' in Chinese, which has made Cheng Fei feel very satisfied.

As for further development, Cheng Fei had never thought about it.

However, there was one thing that suddenly changed this situation, and it also affected Cheng Fei's life after that.

On April 10, 1997, the weather was exceptionally sunny. Cheng Fei borrowed a few books from the school library, looked through them and walked towards the school 'gate', when someone suddenly pulled him. Cheng Fei looked up and saw that it was Bruce. This little black man who was only 1.70 meters tall 'bared' a mouthful of white teeth, and said with a smile: "Cheng, I can join the Broncos today!" ”

Cheng Fei let out an "oh" and said with a smile: "What? Richie 'Mon' agreed? ”

"It's not a final yes," Bruce said, "I'm going to take a test right away." Rich 'Mon' said that he would let one of his team members go head-to-head with me, and if I could win, let me join the Broncos! What do you think? Go cheer me on, right? ”

"Then ......" Cheng Fei scratched his head, "what if you don't win?" ”

Bruce gave a thumbs up: "Cheng, you haven't seen me play, I'm 'good' when I play!" Don't look at me short, but what I'm best at is breaking through those stupid big guys. Don't worry, no matter who Richie asks me to fight with me, I'll win! But, I need you to cheer me on! ”

Cheng Fei couldn't refuse such a good friend's request. He only nodded and said, "Good! I'll go with you! ”

The place Bruce is going is the school's basketball court. Basketball courts in the U.S. are similar to those in China, but they're separated by barbed wire, which saves you the trouble of running legs to pick up balls. When they walked across the court, Cheng Fei saw that there were already many people playing basketball, all of them were black. Even just looking at their movements, Cheng Fei has to sigh, pick a black man out at random, not to mention the technique, the soft feel of dribbling, the shooting posture, and the shaking movements, they are all so beautiful, it seems to be carved out of the same mold as the NBA players on TV.

This is probably the difference between races, Cheng Fei sighed in his heart.

The strange thing is that he hasn't touched a basketball for nearly half a year, and now that he sees the basketball again, Cheng Fei doesn't itch at all. It seems that the weight of basketball in his life is getting lighter and lighter.

“Hey，Richmond！” Bruce walked over, "I'm here, can I start?" ”

A black man about 1.85 meters tall walked over with his arms crossed, he had a wide face and a flat nose, narrow eyes, and a full and prominent lower lip. “Hey，Bruce！” Richie 'Meng' grinned, "You're ready to go." ”

"Bruce, get back to your Jamaican daddy's house and let him give you two more legs!" Someone shouted sarcastically. A group of blacks immediately burst into laughter. Cheng Fei stood beside Bruce and looked at those black men coldly.

BRUCE IGNORED IT, HE TOOK OFF HIS LONG PANTS AND LONG-SLEEVED SHIRT, AND 'REVEALED' A FIERY RED 'COLORED' BASKETBALL JERSEY, A NEW ONE, BUT WITH A PAIR OF OLD NIKE SNEAKERS ON HIS FEET. He moved his muscles, smiled and high-fived Cheng Fei, and then walked onto the court and asked Richie 'Meng': "Who is going to fight with me?" ”

Richie tilted his head and looked down at him sarcastically, "Me, do you want to go home, boy?" ”

There was a hint of panic on Bruce's face, but it was fleeting. He smiled at Richie, shook his head, and said, "Nono, this is good, it's good, I've always wanted to go head-to-head with you!" ”

"OK, grant your wishes!" Richie 'Mon' also took off his coat and threw it into the crowd. He wears a pure black 'color' adidas sportswear, and adidas basketball shoes on his feet, his muscles are strong and his small 'legs' are especially full. According to Bruce, Ridge 'Mon' is the captain of the Broncos and the boss of the area.

"Hey! A shorter black man came over with a box and shouted, "Buy Richmond or Bruce, five dollars up." "The blacks all giggled and pulled out their bills, and they all bought Richie's 'Mon'.

"This brother," the black man walked up to Cheng Fei, "a hundred dollars to bet on Bruce, be sure to be right!" "As soon as he heard this, some people couldn't help but laugh, and even Richie 'Meng' laughed.

Cheng Fei looked at Bruce, who shrugged his shoulders. He looked at the black man in front of him again and asked, "Do you have to bet?" ”

"It's the rule." The man's tone was low, and the other blacks also glared at Cheng Fei fiercely.

Cheng Fei sighed, took out ten dollars from his 'trousers' pocket, and put it in the box, "I have so much money on me, I buy all of Bruce's." "The blacks, all of them were in a hurry.

Bruce smiled awkwardly at Cheng Fei and gave him a thumbs up.

A street bullfight is about to begin.