Basketball System: Rebound of the Underdog

The ride back home felt shorter than usual. Kai sat quietly, watching Jilin's familiar scenery flash through the window. He was exhausted but somehow restless, his mind still running with thoughts of the Global Games. The cheers at the airport replayed in his head, but they felt distant now. He took a deep breath and let it out slowly, trying to clear his thoughts as the Mayor's car pulled up to his grandma's house. Yes—the Mayor even arranged a car for him. He stepped out and made his way up the rocky path, feeling a sense of nostalgia as he reached the old wooden door. The scent of blooming jasmine filled the air—a scent he hadn't smelled for long. He pushed the door open and was immediately greeted by the familiar warmth of home. His grandma was standing in the hallway, her hands clasped behind her back. "You're back," she said simply. Her voice was the same. Aside from that, she looked way too calm for someone whose grandson just became a national champion! Kai forced a smile, trying to read her expression. "I'm back," he replied. She stepped closer and reached up, patting his shoulder once. It was a small, formal gesture, but Kai could feel the warmth behind it. "You did well," she said, her eyes meeting his. It wasn't overly sentimental, but for his grandma, it might as well have been a bear hug. "Thanks," Kai muttered, but he couldn't help but feel a little disappointed. He had been hoping for a bit more—he just didn't know what. He nodded, accepting it for what it was, and made his way to the kitchen. As soon as he stepped through the doorway, the disappointment melted away. The kitchen table was covered in a feast—his favorite dishes laid out in neat, steaming rows. There was braised pork belly, fragrant and glistening with sauce. A giant bowl of spicy mayo tofu, his absolute favorite, sat in the center. Dumplings were stacked high in a bamboo steamer, still piping hot, their delicate skin translucent. There were also crispy spring rolls, stir-fried greens, and a bowl of fluffy white rice. Kai's eyes widened, his mouth dropping open slightly. "Whoa…" He turned back to his grandma, who had followed him into the kitchen, her hands still clasped behind her back. She gave him a quick glance and then looked away, pretending to be busy with something on the counter. "You made all of this?" he asked, even though he already knew the answer. "It's nothing special," she replied curtly, but there was a faint smile playing at the corner of her lips. "You must be hungry after your trip." Kai felt a lump form in his throat. He couldn't remember the last time she'd made such an elaborate spread. "Thank you, Grandma," he said. He sat down at the table, not sure where to start. Everything looked so good. His grandma finally pulled out a chair and sat across from him, watching as he began to dig in. She didn't say much, just nodded occasionally when he complimented a dish. After a few moments of comfortable silence, Kai set down his chopsticks and looked at her. "Grandma, I wanted to talk to you about something." She raised an eyebrow, gesturing for him to continue. "It's about the Global Games," he said slowly. "We've been invited to play." "Yeah, I saw," Grandma Bingbing said. "Everyone knows now." Kai sighed and shook his head. "It's a huge opportunity, but… I don't know. I'm not sure if it's the right choice. Is it too soon?" His grandma regarded him with her usual calm expression. She took a sip of her tea before responding. "It's a big decision," she said finally. "But it's not one I can make for you." Kai frowned, leaning back in his chair. "I was hoping you'd have some advice." She set her cup down and folded her hands on the table. "You're the one who has to play, Kai. You're the one who knows what you're capable of. If you think you can handle it, then do it. If you're not ready, then don't force yourself. It's as simple as that." He let out a sigh, rubbing the back of his neck. "You make it sound so easy." "It is easy," she said with a small shrug. "But only if you know what you want." "Thanks, Grandma," he said quietly. She nodded, giving him one last pat on the shoulder before standing up. "Eat your fill," she said. "You'll need your strength." Kai smiled, watching her leave the kitchen before turning back to his plate. He ate a little more, but the conversation had given him a lot to think about. Eventually, he pushed his chair back and made his way to his room. He threw himself onto the bed and pulled out his phone, opening a video app. He typed in 'Global Games Highlights' and began scrolling through the search results. The first video he clicked on was from the 2012 Global Games, the last time China had managed to qualify. He watched as the Chinese team struggled against the dominant Western teams—players from the USA, Spain, and Serbia making shot after shot. China hadn't placed in any of the medals that year, and Kai could see why. The skill gap had been enormous. He clicked on another video, this one from the most recent Global Games. China had not been included this time. The video cut to a clip of a gruesome injury—a player from a small country had gone up for a layup and landed awkwardly, his leg bending in a way it shouldn't have. Kai winced as he watched the slow-motion replay, the bone snapping visibly, poking through the skin. He had to look away, his stomach turning. "Why am I being so scared now?" he muttered, running a hand through his hair. He let out a frustrated sigh. At the end of the day, no matter how mature he thought he was, he still had worries like a little boy. He closed the app and tossed his phone onto the bed, staring up at the ceiling. He knew he was good, but was he good enough for this? He'd always believed in his abilities, but now, faced with the reality of competing on the global stage, he was starting to doubt himself. 'You're the one who knows what you're capable of,' his grandma had said. He just wished he knew the answer.