Chapter 25: The Underling

Xu Xun clearly struggled to defeat Gan Guoyang. One’s basketball skills cannot undergo a qualitative transformation in a short period—unless you are Gan Guoyang.

Gan Guoyang possessed a nervous system and physique that set him apart from others, traits that no one else—certainly not Xu Xun—could match. The two had a height difference of over twenty centimeters, and Xu Xun held no advantage in speed or agility either. When someone is taller, stronger, and faster than you, even if your technique is superior, you cannot win in a one-on-one duel. Furthermore, in terms of technique, Gan Guoyang was already half a professional.

"Your dribbling start is problematic; you need to keep your footwork clean. Don't just blindly pursue speed."

"Use your off-hand properly. That's right, push me off, push me off! You're doing well, but you're still a bit off."

"Nice crossover, but..."

Xu Xun nearly beat Gan Guoyang with a crossover, but Gan Guoyang chased him down in one stride. Under his looming presence, Xu Xun couldn't even see the rim for his layup. After missing several consecutive attacks, Xu Xun had to endure Gan Guoyang’s "lessons." Yet, Gan Guoyang did not hurl trash talk at the impolite young Korean; instead, he gently pointed out his flaws, correcting his technical movements while they played.

"Next time, you should ask Mr. Bellman about feints and techniques for triple-threat positions. I'm not too skilled in that area myself, but I have the height and strength..."

Gan Guoyang attacked with the ball, backed Xu Xun down with his body, spun into the paint, and sank an easy bank shot. 9-0. One more basket, and Gan Guoyang would end this one-sided slaughter.

Gan Guoyang tossed the ball to Xu Xun and said, "Try again, buddy. Don't give up."

Xu Xun took the ball, stepped back, dribbled heavily, and charged toward Gan Guoyang like an angry bull. It was a straight-line drive, devoid of any flash. Gan Guoyang shifted to the side to avoid a blocking foul, then stayed glued to him. Both jumped simultaneously, and Xu Xun stretched out his arm, fighting to avoid Gan Guoyang’s block. At the very last moment, Gan Guoyang’s hand grazed the ball, failing to block the layup.

The ball went in. Xu Xun finally scored against Gan Guoyang’s defense: 9-1. Due to his massive momentum, he flew out of bounds and slipped to the ground. Yet, his typically angry face finally revealed a faint, gratified smile.

Gan Guoyang extended his hand and said, "Give me five!"

Xu Xun reached out, then pulled his hand back halfway, saying, "The game isn't over yet."

"It will be soon."

With that, Gan Guoyang dribbled to the perimeter and launched a sudden jump shot, sinking the long-range bucket. 10-1. He had easily defeated Xu Xun.

Xu Xun finally conceded, "You’re really amazing."

Gan Guoyang replied, "You’re not bad either; you have great stamina. By the way, can I ask you now—what do you do on the second floor after your extra practice every day?"

Xu Xun replied sheepishly, "I... I go to practice... practice Chinese Kung Fu."

Gan Guoyang remembered there was a martial arts dojo on the second floor of the sports center. It turned out the guy was a martial arts fanatic.

"And the injuries on your back?"

"From falling, and... and from practicing with nunchucks."

"Haha, nunchucks? So you can use nunchucks? Do you like Bruce Lee?"

At the mention of Bruce Lee, Xu Xun’s eyes lit up instantly. He nodded and said, "He is my idol. I’ve relied on him to keep going. Some of the injuries on my back were from back in school in Korea..."

Seeing the somber expression on Xu Xun’s face, Gan Guoyang didn't ask anything more. After finishing their practice and changing, Gan Guoyang asked where Xu Xun lived.

Xu Xun replied, "My family runs a Korean restaurant on Ellis Street."

"So your family also runs a restaurant and lives in the Tenderloin district? That’s great! Let’s have dinner at your place."

Gan Guoyang went to a public phone booth and called home, telling Gan Guohui and Chen Xing to meet them at the Korean restaurant on Ellis Street, saying someone was treating them to dinner. Xu Xun had no choice but to bring Gan Guoyang to his family's restaurant.

Gan Guoyang met Xu Xun’s father—a stern Korean man. He was clearly surprised that his son had brought a classmate home, but upon learning of Gan Guoyang’s status, he decided to waive their bill. However, when he learned his son had joined the school basketball team, the father’s expression darkened. He raised his hand to strike Xu Xun, only to be stopped by Gan Guoyang, who insisted that Xu Xun was a talented basketball player and that the team couldn't do without him (in truth, the team couldn't do without anyone).

During the meal, the anger in Xu Xun’s eyes toward Gan Guoyang was gone. He took the initiative to grill meat and pour water for Gan Guoyang, leaving Gan Guohui and Chen Xing stunned. Since when had this "stone" become so polite?

On the way back, Chen Xing and Gan Guohui were puzzled. How had this troublemaker been tamed by Gan Guoyang in just half a day?

Gan Guoyang said, "We played a one-on-one this afternoon, and I beat him into submission."

Gan Guohui remarked, "I told you! These Koreans are just like the Japanese; whoever beats them into the ground is who they respect. You have to hit them hard."

Gan Guoyang didn't say much. He knew full well that Xu Xun hadn't been tamed by the beating. He was too familiar with that inexplicable anger in Xu Xun's eyes; he had seen it in many children at the orphanage, himself included. It was the common emotion of children who were helpless and unloved. That anger was their last foothold for survival in this world; only by standing against the world on their own could they find a shred of meaning in their existence.

At such times, if someone stands up and says, "You’re pretty good, I admire you," their anger easily dissipates. Afterward, they will give everything they have for that small bit of encouragement and recognition.

Aldous Huxley, author of *Brave New World*, once said: "Controlling people through the punishment of those who behave badly is not ideal, while offering small favors to those who behave well can strengthen control... Governing society by manipulating the environment and the thoughts and feelings of individuals through non-violent means is highly effective."

Gan Guoyang hadn't read the book and didn't understand such grand theories, but he had realized this technique himself while at the orphanage. That was why he rarely used violence, yet could bring troublemakers into line. Of course, the prerequisite was having the confidence that you could crush your opponent with force if necessary.

On Saturday, the Northern Overseas/Shuizhong team welcomed their first game since the team's founding. Their opponent was the other Chinese school team in Chinatown—the Lihua Middle School Tigers. Lihua had a much longer history than Northern Overseas, having been founded in 1888, nearly a century ago. They had always had a basketball team; while their strength was average by San Francisco standards, they were the best among Chinese teams—until Gan Guoyang arrived.

As for why they hadn't invited Gan Guoyang to join their team, it was because Lihua Middle School was primarily comprised of students from Hong Kong and Taiwan, creating political divisions with Northern Overseas, which was primarily comprised of students from the Mainland. The Chinese Advancement Association had helped Northern Overseas establish its basketball team specifically to rival Lihua.

Both sides placed great importance on this game, setting the venue at the Kezar Pavilion in the city center. Before the War Memorial Gymnasium was built in 1958, this had been the home court for the University of San Francisco’s NCAA games and many professional and amateur basketball teams.

The game was scheduled for three to five in the afternoon. After lunch, the players gathered at the school and took a minibus together to the venue. Before boarding, Bellman noticed that Xu Xun was actually taking the initiative to carry Gan Guoyang’s equipment bag. Had this troublemaker really been subdued by Gan Guoyang?

Bellman asked Xu Xun why he was doing this, and Xu Xun simply replied, "He is my senior."

Bellman looked at Gan Guoyang. He realized this kid was truly extraordinary. Frank Allock was right—he had the ability to command people’s hearts.