Chapter 45: Training Completed!

The next day, Ming Han began training with his new teammates. This was nothing like the class tournaments he’d participated in before; every step of the training plan was meticulously arranged by the Black Coach. Training now wasn’t limited to basketball skills, but also included both aerobic and anaerobic exercises. Only such comprehensive training could truly transform a player’s physical condition and enhance his performance on the court.

At seven in the morning, the group arrived at school, where the Black Coach immediately had them run laps around the track. After ten laps, they moved on to stretching exercises. The Black Coach spoke sternly, “From now on, before every game, you must remember to warm up. That’s the only way to reduce injuries caused by accidents during the game.”

It made a lot of sense. Even in the NBA, players' careers varied dramatically. Some could play for twenty years, while others, at the peak of their abilities, were forced into early retirement due to devastating injuries, leaving behind nothing but regret.

To fall before success is ever tasted…

The entire morning passed without any basketball drills. Haiming couldn’t help but complain, “This is insane. We’re not training for the Olympics, what’s the point of all this?”

Everyone shook their heads and sighed; they were obviously exhausted.

Qiang encouraged them, “The Black Coach is a professional basketball player. There must be a good reason for this kind of training. Let’s try to stick with it!”

With the captain’s endorsement, no one dared voice further objections. After a morning of grueling exercise, they had lunch and took a one-hour rest before afternoon training resumed.

The afternoon was dedicated to running plays. The Black Coach said, “I want every tactic we learn to be imprinted in your minds. When you play, I expect you all to develop excellent tactical awareness.”

Tactics were crucial in basketball. No matter how talented a player was, he couldn’t win championships alone. Legends like Kobe and Jordan never touched the championship trophy as lone stars; only after they had strong teammates and mastered the triangle offense did they collect rings in abundance.

By the end of the day, they were all utterly drained.

Lin Wei complained, “This is exactly like life at sports school. Now you know why my brother and I gave up pursuing sports!”

Indeed, it was too tough.

And this was just the beginning. According to the Black Coach’s plan, their first training camp would last at least ten days.

After those ten days, their precious summer vacation would be down to just one month. Rumor had it the Black Coach was already organizing the next phase of training.

That evening, Ming Han and Yu Hang were so exhausted they couldn’t get up from their beds.

Right on time, Chen Li called! Throughout the summer, Chen Li would call Ming Han in the evenings to chat. The conversations weren’t long, but Ming Han greatly enjoyed them.

Ming Han wasn’t sure yet if Chen Li liked him, but he was certain that he held a place in her heart. If he could win her over during college, Ming Han would be delighted! But that was a matter for the future; for now, he wasn’t thinking that far ahead.

As days of training passed, Ming Han’s skills improved rapidly. When he played one-on-one with Yu Hang, it was no longer a lopsided affair.

He could dribble, he could shoot, and he possessed a passing ability everyone envied during games.

Qiang watched Ming Han’s progress with admiration. “You and Yu Hang are getting more and more alike, but you’re even taller than he is now.”

On the last day, the Black Coach gathered everyone to announce, “In three days, we’ll play a formal match against this year’s freshman champions. Their best PE teacher will coach them.”

“This time, I want you to showcase everything you’ve learned in training. As long as you do that, the outcome doesn’t matter much.”

Everyone was eager; after days of monotonous physical and tactical drills without any actual games, they were craving some real action.

“Don’t worry, Coach! Even if they’re freshmen, we’ll show them just how strong their juniors have become!”

Usually stern and unsmiling during practice, the Black Coach found himself enjoying his time with these players. The world welcomes those who bring laughter, for they fill it with flowers and joy.

He smiled, “You’ve all worked hard these past few days. Take two days to rest well. Three days from now, I want to see a whole new side of you.”

“Alright!”

After training, Qiang suggested they go out for a meal together and invite some girls to join them for a chat.

Everyone agreed enthusiastically!

Ming Han realized that Qiang was quite the character. Despite his usually upright demeanor, his risqué jokes were more outrageous than anyone else’s.

“Qiang, seeing you like this really breaks my heart!”

They booked a private room at a restaurant and called their classmates to join them.

Unsurprisingly, all the guests were girls!

Every guy present was tall and good-looking, so they were all popular with the opposite sex. It wasn’t long before several female classmates arrived.

Haiming made a call to the girl he thought about day and night, “Jingjing, it’s Haiming! We’re having a school team gathering. Are you free? Come join us for a chat!”

Lin Jingjing got along well with many classmates, but she wasn’t keen on these testosterone-filled gatherings. “The school team?”

“Yes! We just formed it. Qiang, Yu Hang, and that tall guy from Class Thirteen—you’ve heard of them.”

The mention of “the tall guy from Class Thirteen” caught Lin Jingjing’s attention. “Is it Ming Han?”

“Yeah! You know him?”

Lin Jingjing didn’t answer directly. “Oh, which place are you at? I’ll take a cab over.”

Haiming was thrilled; he’d invited her several times before and she’d always declined. Maybe things were finally looking up. Had his sincerity moved heaven, earth, and even Lin Jingjing herself?

Ming Han looked at Yu Hang, who, without hesitation, took out his phone and dialed, “Are you free? Want to come out and chat?”

Ming Han was stunned. Was Yu Hang finding his own springtime?

“Yu Hang, who are you calling? How could you betray me?” Ming Han joked.

Yu Hang, perfectly calm, replied, “Huang Ying.”

“Damn! Yu Hang, this is a love story between a bad student and a top student! It’s really enviable!”

“Aren’t you going to invite Chen Li?”

Yu Hang’s question made Ming Han fall silent. The truth was, Chen Li wasn’t familiar with the group and really disliked such gatherings. Even though he and Chen Li were close, going against her principles would only make her unhappy.