Chapter Sixty-seven: Returning to the Stage

Because our class and the finance management students’ dormitories were on the same floor, we often dropped by each other's rooms, whether we had anything to do or not, so our relationships were quite good. Our dormitory was particularly unique—besides the four of us, Peanut, Xiao Lang, Fanzi, and myself, we also lived with two finance management students, Wang Xiaopang and Anan. Thus, by default, our room became the diplomatic frontier for both classes, entrusted with the honorable task of receiving “foreign guests.”

Every day the dorm was teeming with people; there was hardly a moment of peace. Luckily, I usually spent all my time in a rented apartment in the new district, only returning to the dorm at night to sleep; otherwise, I would have been exhausted. After spending so much time together, we all started to think maybe the two classes should organize some activities to liven things up. After friendly consultations between both class committees, we unanimously decided to hold a basketball friendly match.

The game was scheduled for the fourth day after New Year’s.

By four in the afternoon, not long after class had ended, a crowd of classmates had already gathered around the basketball court in front of the dorm, ready to cheer on their teams. I was among them. For me, although I still had some reservations, it was, after all, a chance to play basketball again. Whenever I had free time, I would go to the court with a few close friends to stretch my muscles, or sometimes, when the court was empty at noon, I would take a ball and practice diligently by myself. Strangely, though, after several months, my progress seemed minimal.

Sitting at the edge of the court, watching the game, I couldn’t help but look up at the sky. There, a long contrail stretched across the blue expanse.

I can’t recall when I developed this habit, but after every game, I liked to look up at that blue sky while resting on the sidelines, waiting for a contrail to appear and cut through the heavens. The feeling it gave me was impossible to describe. For some reason, whenever I saw a contrail, I would always think of Lele.

Lele, although I am still far from becoming the Mitsui you hoped for, please believe me—I will work hard…

Lost in memory, I didn’t notice the third quarter had ended. At that moment, our team captain, Chen Rui, suddenly pointed at me, sitting beneath the basketball hoop. “Xiao Bei, you’ll play in the fourth quarter.”

“Me?” I gaped in surprise, pointing at myself. I wasn’t even a regular member of the class team—why would he put me in? I thought I’d misheard.

“We’re ahead by more than twenty points anyway. Go on and show us what you can do in the last quarter.” Chen Rui grinned and patted me on the shoulder.

To think, the “best sixth man”—a title I had once claimed for myself—had now become a benchwarmer for the class team. I forced a wry smile, got to my feet, and brushed the dust from my pants.

About to step onto the court, I felt a strange sense of déjà vu, tinged with a trace of tragic resignation: “The wind is cold and bleak, and the court is chill. Xiao Bei steps forth, never to return…” I recited silently in my heart.

Before I could finish humming this mournful tune, the basketball came flying toward me. “Xiao Bei, catch!”

Luckily, I snapped out of my daze in time. Although I staggered, I managed to catch the ball. I dribbled forward, but as soon as I crossed half-court, two defenders immediately closed in. Seeing this, Xiao Gang waved for me to pass him the ball. I hesitated a moment too long, and my pass was instantly read and intercepted by the opponent, who counterattacked and scored an easy layup.

I raised my hand apologetically to my teammates—it was indeed my mistake.

The game went on. The other team missed a shot, and Xiao Zhi grabbed the rebound, quickly tossing the ball up to Xiao Zhu. Their defenders hustled back, so Xiao Zhu slowed down and set up the offense.

The ball was passed around a few times and finally came to me near the free-throw line. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed there wasn’t a defender within several meters. Seizing the opportunity, I jumped and took a shot.

Clang! The ball bounced heavily off the rim.

Fortunately, it landed right back in my hands, as if I’d picked up a rebound while standing still. The defender was still hesitating whether to come out and guard me, so I shot again.

Swish! This time, it went in.

After three long years, I’d scored again! Lele, your Mitsui is back! In that moment, I was so elated I could barely contain myself.

“Xiao Bei, what are you daydreaming about? Get back on defense!” Xiao Gang shouted as he ran past me.

“Oh.” I answered as I jogged back gleefully, still replaying the scoring moment in my mind. While I was distracted, an opposing player broke through and left me behind, scoring an easy reverse layup.

“Idiot! What are you doing?” Chen Rui, resting on the sidelines, leapt up in frustration.

Seeing Chen Rui lose his temper, I dared not slack off any longer and hurried back upcourt…

Time ticked by. Since it was garbage time, everyone played rather casually. With the fourth quarter nearly over, the ball came to me once again. This time, a defender nearly a head taller than me stood in front, but I took the shot anyway.

Just as the ball left my hand, the defender’s fingers brushed it, altering its trajectory. It fell short of the rim by half a meter.

In a flash, Xiao Zhi leapt up, caught the ball, and before anyone could react, jumped again to lay it in with ease.

The final score was set at 84 to 54—a thirty-point victory.

I played the entire fourth quarter—twelve minutes, three shots, one made, two points, one rebound, one assist. Though the stats were unimpressive, it was a memorable return. After all, form can improve with time. Everything seemed to be heading in a good direction. Maybe I just needed to get used to it. I was no longer my former self.

“Lele! I played basketball again today!” I reported excitedly to Lele over the phone.

“Hehe, that’s all thanks to me, you know.” I could tell she was happy too, for it was she who had encouraged me to start playing basketball again.

“Oh, come on! Don’t flatter yourself—who praises themselves like that?” If Lele were by my side, I would have knocked her on the head for sure.

“Look at you! By the way, shouldn’t you treat your big sister to a meal as a thank you?” Lele never misses a chance to talk about food.

“All right, all right. Since you worked so hard over the summer, when you come back, I’ll treat you to the Shangri-La buffet.” Perhaps I really should thank Lele properly.

(Chapter revision completed on September 17, 2010)