The Stepmother's Counterattack: Raising a Child in a Bygone Era-Chapter 801 - 800 Trial Training

"Mom, just agree, please? I promise I’ll finish all my summer homework after I get back—I promise. Do you believe me?"

Pei Ziheng and Zhao Yun had returned to the hotel by that time, and Pei Tang was still pleading to stay in Los Angeles a few more days.

"Mom, things aren’t going well for me here, and it might take two days longer than expected."

Hearing Pei Ziheng’s words, Pei Tang’s eyes instantly sparkled as she looked at Shen Mingzhu.

Shen Mingzhu deliberately ignored her daughter and, instead, showed concern for her son, "Do you need my help?"

"No need, I can handle it."

Pei Ziheng, saying this, glanced at his sister, a hint of indulgent affection in his eyes, "Since we’re rarely in Los Angeles, you and Guoguo should enjoy your time."

Shen Mingzhu feigned annoyance, "Well, I guess that’s the only option. I can’t just leave you here alone."

"Thank you, Mom."

Once Shen Mingzhu returned to her bedroom, Pei Tang pulled Pei Ziheng aside to his room to whisper,

"Brother, did you make up the unfinished business with Mom just so I could play here a few more days?"

Pei Ziheng looked down and chuckled softly, "What do you think?"

"I think that’s exactly it! Brother, you’re the best; I love you so much!"

Saying so, she wrapped her arms around his waist and affectionately pressed her cheek against his chest.

"Ziheng..."

Zhao Yun pushed the door open and was taken aback to see the siblings embracing.

"Brother Hei Xiong, do you need my brother for something? Go ahead and talk; I’m going to take a shower~"

"Sure, go ahead."

Watching Pei Tang bounce away, Zhao Yun closed the door and discussed the tryout matters with Pei Ziheng.

"Parker and the others will arrive tomorrow at noon. In the afternoon, I will first take them to get familiar with the court. When are you leaving? I’ll see you off."

Pei Ziheng spoke up, "I’m not leaving for now; I’ll stay until your tryouts are over."

Zhao Yun looked surprised, "Really? Don’t you have an important collaboration to discuss back home?"

"Just focus on your tryouts."

Zhao Yun, moved, said, "I didn’t realize I meant so much to you, even putting your work aside. You’re a true bro."

Pei Ziheng watched him expressionlessly, "Done talking? I’m going to sleep."

Zhao Yun grinned sleazily, "Need me to warm up the bed?"

"Get lost."

Zhao Yun quickly stood up and took a couple of steps, then, as if remembering something, said, "Even though you and Guoguo are siblings, there are proprieties—as a brother, you should still be careful about boundaries and propriety."

"If you have too much free time, you could go outside and step up your physical training."

Feeling Pei Ziheng’s displeasure, Zhao Yun raised his hands in surrender, "Okay, okay, I’ll stop. You should get some rest, bow-wow~"

With the door shut, the sealed space fell into profound silence.

Pei Ziheng walked to the window, emotions churning in his dark eyes, denser and deeper than the night outside.

He had to admit there was truth in Zhao Yun’s words.

But he didn’t want to be reasonable. His mother and sister were the people he loved most—why should he restrain and endure because of societal norms?

Those who disapproved could go to hell.

...

After going through physical, shooting, and dribbling tests, Zhao Yun faced the final stage of the tryout interview—a team scrimmage.

The scrimmage was held at Seal Team’s home ground, Western Stadium.

Before the match.

Seal Team’s head coach Harris gathered his players to arrange the lineup for this scrimmage.

Apart from the three substitute players, Harris had arranged for two of the team’s key players, Oni and Ma Long, to play.

Upon hearing Harris call their names, both were incredulous.

Ma Long, "Harris, did you just wake up or are you senile? It’s just a tryout interview, do we really need to take to the court?"

Harris didn’t take offense at Ma Long’s insolence.

The team was a place where strength did the talking, and Ma Long had the qualifications and confidence to stand up to him.

"It’s Jerry’s idea for you to test the opponent’s strength."

Ma Long scoffed, "Come on, I’m afraid I might accidentally make them cry and run home to mommy."

That remark set off a round of laughter among the players.

With the two key players refusing to play, Harris had no choice but to arrange for substitute players to fill in.

Unlike the club players who looked down on Zhao Yun and his group, Zhao Yun took today’s group match very seriously.

He not only designed formations in advance, formulated tactical layouts and strategies, but also carried out dozens of practical drills, striving to perform at his best today.

Pei Tang also gave up the chance to go out and have fun, arriving early at the stadium to cheer for Zhao Yun.

Besides people from the club and Pei Ziheng’s group, there were also some fervent fans of the teams watching the game, sparsely scattered in the stands, adding a bit of excitement to the group match.

At ten o’clock sharp, the game officially began with the referee’s whistle.

Perhaps wanting to intimidate Zhao Yun’s group, the Seal Team came out swinging fiercely and quickly scored.

In the blink of an eye, a third of the first half had passed, with the Seal Team’s score already in double digits, while Zhao Yun’s side was still scoreless.

Boos erupted from the stands.

The dominant Seal Team also started with one trick after another, various provocations and taunts.

The high-level executives of the Seal Club in the VIP stand shook their heads, clearly dissatisfied with Zhao Yun’s performance; some even left their seats to go, unwilling to waste more time.

"Brother Hei Xiong, go for it, you’re the fattest!!!"

An anxious Pei Tang stood up on a stool, cheering on Zhao Yun with the loudest voice she had ever used in her life.

Zhao Yun lifted his shirt to wipe the sweat away and, showing a bloodthirsty smile to the Seal Team players flipping him off, said, "Grandsons, I’ll let you see just how red the color red in China can be."

In the following game, Zhao Yun and his teammates played as if they were injected with adrenaline, gradually heating up and becoming fiercer.

Meanwhile, the Seal Team showed signs of fatigue due to their underestimation, getting increasingly weary.

As the first half was about to end, the score was evened out.

In the final twenty seconds, the basketball landed in Zhao Yun’s hands again.

To prevent him from scoring, almost the entire Seal Team came to block his pass.

Facing the airtight defense, Zhao Yun bared his teeth with a devilish grin, and in the bewildered gaze of the opponents, he jumped up on the spot and tossed the basketball with one hand.

The basketball traced a beautiful arc in mid-air and landed steadily in the hoop.

duang~

The entire audience stood up.

"Oh my god, that worked?!"

"Does he have a robotic arm or what?"

Exclamations echoed one after another, and the high-level executives of the club on the VIP stand were all wide-eyed, thoroughly impressed by Zhao Yun’s one-handed three-pointer.

"Brother Hei Xiong, you’re so cool!!!"

An ecstatic Pei Tang stomped on the stool, spinning in circles, with Pei Ziheng and Shen Mingzhu on either side of her, steadying her so she wouldn’t fall.

Whether shocked by Zhao Yun’s spectacular move or not, the whistle signaling the end of the first half blew a full ten seconds late.

But it didn’t affect the outcome.

Zhao Yun’s side won the first half with a three-point lead.

From being suppressed to catching up and finally turning the tide against the wind, Zhao Yun made sure his name was remembered.

Bear, Bayer.