Chapter 51: I’m Sorry…

Perhaps it was because Ming Han’s words had sparked a fire within Hai Ming—on the next turn, Hai Ming managed to defend against him.

“Ming Han, back when I was playing basketball, you were still glued to your MP4, watching Japanese films!” Hai Ming was truly provoked. Basketball players all carry a certain pride; they always believe themselves unbeatable, unstoppable.

Facing Ming Han, Hai Ming dribbled rapidly between his legs, crossing left and right. The moment Ming Han let his guard down, Hai Ming broke through, executing a layup with a graceful twist, scoring effortlessly.

Ming Han smiled. He had no interest in dueling someone who wasn’t fully immersed in the game. So what if I’m a rookie? Even if you’re amazing, I’ll still score on you and give you a taste of humiliation.

They played with all their might. After two hours, both were exhausted, sweating buckets. Ming Han dribbled outside the three-point line; Hai Ming fell into a defensive stance. “Ming Han, last shot!”

Ming Han sidestepped and pressed in close, making a feint to the left. Hai Ming followed his move attentively, but Ming Han suddenly spun back, fading away, and nailed a jump shot.

“Are you really this good?”

Yu Hang had mentioned before that this summer, hardly anyone in our grade would be able to defend against Ming Han. Back then, Hai Ming hadn’t believed it, but now he was convinced. Ming Han, who’d poured himself into training, had a rock-solid foundation.

Both of them forgot that there was evening study session. Their homeroom teacher was fuming, unable to find them. The two of them sat at the entrance of the cafeteria’s convenience store, gulping down water.

Hai Ming pulled out a pack of cigarettes and lit one, taking a deep drag.

“Give me one.”

Hai Ming shot him a strange look; he knew Ming Han didn’t smoke. Still, he handed one over. Perhaps between men, the best way to communicate is with a cigarette or a glass of wine. Of course, it would be a long time before Ming Han truly understood this.

Just then, Da Xu returned from the internet café. He hadn’t eaten dinner and wanted to grab a bowl of noodles from the cafeteria. Spotting the two, he approached.

Da Xu and Hai Ming weren’t particularly close, but they’d borrowed lighters from each other when sneaking cigarettes in the restroom, so they were acquainted. Seeing Ming Han, Da Xu was taken aback. “Ming Han, you’re done for. Already picking up smoking at your age.”

This summer, Da Xu had devoted nearly all his energy to gaming and hadn’t seen much of Ming Han, though he’d heard Yu Hang mention a few things about him.

“That Yu Hang, he looks decent enough, but he’s actually ruthless—going after the top girl in our class. If the homeroom teacher finds out, he’ll break his legs for sure.” Da Xu lit a cigarette and grumbled.

Ming Han shot Da Xu a glare. Talking behind your own friend’s back—what a great pal! Still, Ming Han felt a sense of pride for Da Xu.

“And you, Ming Han, you poser. You used to look like as much of a loser as me, and now you’re all mysterious, going for the cool act? Just now, I even overheard two girls saying the guy from Class 13, Ming Han, is so handsome and cool—makes me want to puke.” Da Xu kept ribbing Ming Han.

Listening to Da Xu, who could grumble about everything from Yu Hang to the homeroom teacher, to the entire school, Ming Han suddenly felt incredibly relaxed and content.

“Bro, if you’re really down, let’s sneak out tonight for a drink,” Da Xu suggested, grinning mischievously.

Hai Ming’s eyes lit up. “I’m with Da Xu on this. It’s our final year in junior high—we ought to let loose at least once.”

Ming Han didn’t object.

They found a barbecue stand near the school gate, where it was quiet at this hour. They ordered some skewers and six bottles of beer.

Da Xu and Hai Ming dove into a heated discussion about dungeon raids in their games, sharing battle strategies. Ming Han listened quietly, rarely joining in.

As the conversation grew more animated, so did their drinking. By the end, the table was littered with empty bottles. A nearby uncle observed with a sigh, “Kids these days, don’t take their studies seriously but drink harder than I do.”

Hai Ming and Da Xu, thoroughly drunk, even ran over to the uncle's table to challenge him to drinking games.

Ming Han was deeply intoxicated. He slumped over the table, numbly pouring more beer into his mouth.

At that moment, Ming Han heard someone gently calling his name—a pleasant, familiar voice.

It was Lin Jingjing.

“How did you know I was here?” Ming Han asked, puzzled. Then he recalled Hai Ming taking a call earlier, and everything became clear.

“Ming Han, let me take you home.”

Classes hadn’t let out yet, so the street was nearly empty.

Ming Han didn’t refuse.

Lin Jingjing supported him, struggling to walk.

“Lin Jingjing, am I pathetic like this?” Ming Han asked.

Her heart ached a little. When she’d first met Ming Han, he had seemed to shine with light, and being around him had always made her happy. But what about him now?

“Ming Han, there are so many people who care about you. You can’t live your life for just one person…”

Suddenly, Ming Han felt he’d let down so many people, especially Su Yan. She had been so worried, staying up late just to check on him, covering him with a blanket, her eyes bloodshot.

Overwhelmed, Ming Han broke down, sobbing uncontrollably. “Mom, I’m sorry… I’m sorry…”

Lin Jingjing hugged him tightly. “I told you, I’ve always been waiting for you.”

Whether you stray or return, I remain where I’ve always been.

...

That night when Ming Han returned home, Su Yan cooked him a bowl of noodles. “Son, don’t drink so much in the future.”

Ming Han’s eyes were red. “Mom, I’m sorry…”

It was the first time Ming Han had ever said those words to his mother. In his heart, he vowed it would be the last.

The next day, Lin Jingjing arrived at school very early, bringing breakfast. There was the sound of basketballs bouncing near the court, but she didn’t pay attention.

A familiar voice called out, “Lin Jingjing, have you started delivering takeout now? Carrying so much stuff!”

She felt a surge of happiness. “Because a certain pig has such a big appetite! Ming Han, why are you here so early?”

“Well, I barely have time to practice this month, so the only way to work out is to sacrifice sleep. You know me—I’m all about diligence and hard work.”

She watched Ming Han take big bites of his meat bun, acting as cheeky as ever, and suddenly it felt like that familiar boy had returned.

“Ming Han, I want to hear you sing.”

Ming Han replied righteously, “I refuse!”

But soon his singing drifted out:

I want to hold your hand
And escape this universe
Where gravity’s gone
And sunlight overflows with your tenderness...

When it was time to part, Ming Han spoke earnestly to Lin Jingjing: “Lin Jingjing, I want to get into No. 1 City High, and later, go to a great university.”

“Mm!”

“So you, you pig, need to work hard too! Keep up with this genius right here.”