Rekindling the dream of becoming a star

Chapter 380 Future Geniuses
"hiss……!"

Beads of sweat the size of soybeans, a contorted expression, and a tense body all told that Chen Fang was enduring immense pain and torment.

Today is July 15th, Chen Fang's third rehabilitation session.

Rehabilitation therapist Alta applied force directly to Chen Fang's left ankle with both hands. These hands were his most trusted tools. Known as the "North American Magic Hands," he was hired by Chen Fang at great expense to specifically perform rehabilitation for him.

“The best way to pry open the fused tendons is through physical means.” Elta adjusted his grip, then added, “12 more laps, hang in there.”

"Ah...!" Chen Fang collapsed onto the rehabilitation bed, pounding the edge of the bed in an attempt to relieve the pain.

"Thump, thump, thump!" The sound of banging echoed throughout the room.

In just a few minutes, Chen Fang was drenched in sweat. When Alta stood up and clapped to say it was over, he had almost no strength left. The pain from the remaining nerve endings still made him tremble.

"You did a great job. You're also the quietest customer I've ever met." Elta was very impressed. This kind of pain, equivalent to tearing apart muscles, is not something that ordinary people can endure.

Chen Fang, who had almost ground his teeth to powder, was too weak to respond and was panting heavily.

"Next, we will begin ROM training. During this process, you need to relax your muscles and allow for greater flexibility in your ankles."

Chen Fang silently got up. He was in too much pain to speak. Many people talk non-stop when they are in pain to distract themselves, but Chen Fang was the opposite. The more pain he was in, the more silent he became.

After completing all of this, Chen Fang will begin muscle symmetry force recovery training to regain the vitality and strength of the atrophied muscles in his left foot, and to improve the peak ratio of ankle dorsiflexion to toe flexion, thereby improving the dynamic control rate of the ankle and achieving symmetrical force balance between the left and right feet.

Chen Fang only had a vague understanding of these things, but he cooperated fully.

This 30-day rehabilitation program involved a team of 15 people and cost around 50 yuan. Of course, Chen Fang didn't have to pay for it; the team's insurance covered all expenses.

Even the boss, Bauer, assumed that 50 was not enough and instructed Lawrence that there was no need to set an upper limit for Chen Wang's treatment.

Throughout the day, Chen Fang was in a cycle of recovery, rehabilitation, energy replenishment, and limited basketball training, and this cycle would continue for another month.

As evening approached, the west was bathed in the glow of the setting sun, and the day's training finally came to an end.

Even Chen Fang, who has been known for his hard work and perseverance over the years, almost gave up. He finally understood that the recovery from injury was not only a physical ordeal, but also a test of willpower.

After leaving here, Chen Fang went to the training ground next door, where he had a few guests to welcome today.

The first one is Ding Yanyuhang, whom Chen Fang considers the only person on the Chinese team who can be his substitute.

Before him, Ding Yanyuhang was the only man on the national team with the right to fire freely. Unfortunately, starting in 19, he began his decline.

In his previous life, Ding Yanyuhang also went to the United States for surgery with the hope of recovery. The surgery he was going to have was a cartilage fracture repair surgery on his right knee.

Last summer, Ding Yanyuhang also underwent surgery in the United States. At that time, he was aiming for a formal contract with the Dallas Mavericks. After several Summer League games, he performed very well. Dallas also valued this small forward with the ability to create his own offense and regarded him as a reliable rotation player on the front line. At that time, the Mavericks' head coach Karl also valued him very much and personally attended several games to watch him play.

However, his good fortune was short-lived. His old injury to his right knee recurred, and Ding Yanyuhang was forced to undergo a minimally invasive surgery: arthroscopic debridement of his right knee.

Clearing intra-articular fluid, inflamed synovium, and cartilage fragments relieves symptoms of patellar tendinitis and patellar chondromalacia.

At that time, Chen Fang had already returned to China and was undergoing arduous training with his master in the deep mountains. This became Chen Fang's regret. He had indeed forgotten it, but more so because of Chen Fang's rather callous values.

If I remind you and you don't listen, then I'm not going to bother with you anymore.

Now, this view has changed. From any perspective, Chen Fang's goal is to help Ding Yanyuhang avoid a complete downfall.

Chen Fang contacted Dr. Brian Cole of Rush University Medical Center, asking him to lead the entire right knee cartilage repair surgery, and hired a team with extensive experience in knee rehabilitation.

Dr. Brian Kerr will perform the NBA's first knee cartilage transplant on Lonzo Ball in the future.

As the Bulls' team doctor, Brian Cole has the highest knee surgery success rate in the United States.

So when Chen Fang presented the entire plan to Ding Yanyuhang, the latter was stunned when he saw the amount.

“I don’t have that much money,” he said awkwardly.

Looking at him, Chen couldn't help but feel a pang of sadness.

At this moment, Ding Yanyuhang is not in dire straits. He is earning a multi-million dollar top salary with Shandong Hi-Speed, harboring dreams of playing in the NBA, and still maintaining an optimistic attitude towards his leg.

Not only him, but many Chinese fans, club executives, and basketball association leaders are optimistic.

But only Chen Fang knew that from that summer until the summer of 25, for a full six years, Ding Yanyuhang had been working hard to return to the court. Even in 24, when the rehabilitation therapist who had long helped him and was once the team doctor of the 3x3 national team excitedly told him that he had a new rehabilitation method that would definitely be effective, his reply was: I have no money.

Over five years, he spent all his savings on his right knee, which was on the verge of irreversible damage.

"You don't need to pay, I'll pay!" Chen Fang said calmly.

"No, absolutely not!" Ding Yanyuhang shook his head vigorously.

"Do you still want to play ball?" Chen Fang asked.

Ding Yanyuhang sensed an ominous feeling from Chen Fang's eyes.

"Your right knee is in serious condition; it's almost at an irreversible stage."

"I'm not exaggerating. Go for the check-up tomorrow, and you'll know the results when they come out."

"Don't scare me." Ding Yanyuhang's face changed.

"I'm not trying to scare you, but the cartilage in your right knee has already reached the softening stage. Theoretically, the probability of recovery after surgery is not very high."

"You need to be mentally prepared. The reason I'm telling you this today is because I know that, given your personality, you'll most likely not listen."

"I already warned you two years ago. I don't know what you're thinking. How can you not distinguish between what's important and what's not?" Chen Fang became more and more angry as he spoke. "What's the point of playing in the Asian Games? It's a club competition. What's the point of playing with an injury? If you don't think about yourself, do you expect others to do it for you?"

"You idiot, let me tell you, all the money you've earned over the years isn't enough to cover the cost of this surgery."

Faced with Chen Fang's sudden outburst of anger, Ding Yanyuhang lowered his head. Chen Fang had a special quality: whether he was laughing or angry, his eyes were exceptionally sharp. If he was in the right, you simply couldn't stand up to him.

"My estimate is that it will take you two years to recover."

"What? Two years?" Ding Yanyuhang suddenly looked up and exclaimed.

"Yes, at least a year and a half. After this surgery, you'll stay in Los Angeles and work part-time for me while you recover at Rock Rehabilitation Center, earning me some interest money." Chen Fang was very domineering; Ding Yanyuhang's later downfall was mostly his own fault.

"Get your agent and everyone around you on board. If you want to get back to the top, this time you have to follow my orders!"

He's easily swayed, stubborn, prone to emotional outbursts, and strangely self-confident. In the US, the recovery time for any knee surgery is measured in years, but look at him—after his surgery in the summer of 19, he's been wanting to make a comeback ever since. This kind of behavior is inherently unprofessional.

"Is there no other choice? I thought it was just a minor surgery that would only take a few months." Ding Yanyuhang once again displayed his fearless attitude.

"I can't be bothered with you. It's like I'm short of trainers. Just don't cry after the check-up tomorrow." Chen Fang rolled his eyes, speechless at this guy, and knew why he had ended up in that situation.

Athletes should have a high degree of respect for sports injuries. Ding Yanyuhang still has a lot of the old system mentality, thinking that as long as you can move, you can't rest, and if you're not dead, you should push yourself to the limit.

"Wait, where are you going?" Ding Yanyuhang panicked when he saw Chen Fang about to leave.

"Go next door, some kids are coming over, do you want to come?"

"What child? Is he worthy of your personal reception?" Ding Yanyuhang was still a bit shameless, and now he shamelessly reached out to help Chen Fang.

"The future is much stronger than you. I can't count on you for the national team, I can only count on them."

One sentence made Ding Yanyuhang feel unconvinced, but at the same time, he suddenly understood why Chen Fang had helped him.

Thinking about how important the World Championships were, yet he couldn't help Chen Wang, especially since Chen Wang was injured, he immediately felt a pang of guilt and regretted for the first time not heeding Chen Fang's words.

In the adjacent gymnasium, three teenagers were playing one-on-one, completely unaware that Chen Fang and Ding Yanyuhang had walked in.

So the two of them went up to the stands and sat down to watch.

"Wow, you know what, you really have to believe it." After watching for just a few minutes, Ding Yanyuhang was surprised.

Looking at the immature Cui Yongxi and Zeng Fanbo, Chen Fang did feel a bit of a mischievous sense of accomplishment. He didn't deliberately look for them; the two of them came to him on their own.

"They are all high school students. The tallest one is Zeng Fanbo, who is part of the Shougang Young Eagles program and will be playing his senior year of high school next season. He will soon be undergoing ESPN's rating."

"The slightly shorter one is Cui Yongxi, an outstanding player selected for the NBA China Training Camp, who went to the United States for special training."

"The shortest one, but the fiercest?" Ding Yanyuhang asked anxiously.

"What? Any ideas?" Chen Fang glanced at him.

"Don't let his short stature fool you, he's the fiercest. He just keeps pushing and shoving, that's pure American style!" Ding Yanyuhang praised.

Chen Fang laughed and asked, "You weren't faking it, were you just trying to make me happy?"

"What are you pretending for?" Ding Yanyuhang was a little angry.

“That’s my apprentice. I brought him to the United States last year. His name is Qin Changzheng. He plays basketball at Chaminade Prep High School.”

"Your alma mater?" Ding Yanyuhang blurted out, a knowing look on his face.

Looking at Qin Changzheng on the court, Ding Yanyuhang exclaimed, "His eye for talent is indeed sharp, and his reputation is well-deserved."

As Ding Yanyuhang said, despite being only 185 cm tall, he could easily defeat Cui and Zeng, who are the same age.

Compared to last year, Qin Changzheng's physique has almost expanded by half a size, with his shoulder muscles resembling pumpkin petals. Coupled with his short, round haircut, he looks quite imposing at first glance.

In terms of playing style, he has faster ball control and his pull-up shot is at the millisecond level. Despite being much shorter than Zeng Fanbo (203cm) and Cui Yongxi (195cm), he achieved a crushing victory.

"I'm not playing anymore, damn it, this is too insane!" Zeng Fanbo was furious. He touched the ball as soon as he came on the court, and after missing the shot, this guy shot five times in a row and forced him to leave the court again.

Cui Yongxi sat under the basket with a silly grin, and immediately raised both hands in agreement: "We should have stopped playing a long time ago, we can't beat them at all, this guy is on drugs."

"Bullshit! Where did I take any medicine?" Qin Changzheng roared angrily.

"No... how come your muscles are so developed if you haven't eaten anything? You must have had injections." Cui was a little scared, but still stubbornly questioned.

"Your own quality is bad, so you blame technology? Humph!" Qin Changzheng didn't want to pay attention to these two people and waved his hand: "Now that I've won, you two get out of here and don't delay my training."

"Tch, making a living with your body has no future!" Don't let Cui Yongxi's simple-minded appearance fool you; he's quite the smooth talker. He backed away while taunting Zeng. "Let's go, Zeng. Chen Huang definitely won't see us. It's hopeless. If we don't leave now, it'll get dark, and that'll be dangerous." Cui Yongxi tried to pull Zeng away but couldn't budge him.

He then noticed that Zeng Fanbo had raised his hand and was pointing at the stands. Cui Yongxi looked over as well, and what he saw made him freeze in shock.

"Emperor Chen!" the two screamed in unison and rushed forward.

"Look at my charm." Chen Fang boasted to Ding Yanyuhang, who was speechless with anger. He was a two-time CBA MVP, how could he have become invisible?

Then he pressed his hand down on the two people who were rushing towards his face: "Alright, alright, don't get excited."

"Master!" Qin Changzheng ran up and called out, then proudly raised his head and looked at the two of them.

"Imperial Chen is your master?" The boy was dumbfounded. After disbelief, envy and jealousy immediately appeared on his face.

Seeing their expressions, Qin Changzheng became even more smug, squatted down and touched their legs: "Master, how is your recovery going today? Your disciple is so worried."

"Get out of here!" Chen Fang said irritably, kicking them away with his right foot, and then said to Zeng and Cui, "Your name is Zeng Fanbo, and you are Cui Yongxi."

"Mmm...!" The boy nodded vigorously, his face full of happiness. Emperor Chen actually knew about us!

“I know you guys. The Blue Sky Project covers campuses. One of you joined the Shougang youth training team very early, and the other went to Dongguan Basketball School even earlier, 15 years ago.”

"How does Emperor Chen know so much detail?" The boy was even more shocked.

"Don't call me Emperor Chen, just call me Brother Fang."

"Brother Fang?" The two looked at Qin Changzheng beside them at the same time. The latter immediately understood and was furious: "Tch!"

Regardless of the boy's smugness, Chen Fang asked with interest, "How did you end up in Los Angeles?"

"Chen...Fang-ge, I'm the only one from the NBA China training camp who's been approved to come to the US for the special training camp." Cui Yongxi couldn't hide his pride, chuckling as he looked around, as if to say, "Praise me, I can handle it."

Unfortunately, no one paid any attention to his laughter for a while. Then he heard Qin Changzheng yawn: "I'm still the chief one-on-one king of Azure, tch, what nonsense!"

Chen Fang was quite surprised. In his memory, Cui came to the United States in 24, so perhaps there had been some changes since then.

Indeed, this was the case. Because of Chen Fang's outstanding performance, the NBA's overseas youth training program began to focus more on him. Originally, the best players from Asia would be sent to the NBA training camp in Australia, but as a Chinese, Cui Yongxi changed his plans midway and sent him to the United States.

"The special training camp is in Los Angeles, right?" Chen Fang roughly understood.

"Yes, I just arrived and specifically asked for leave to see Emperor Chen! No, I mean Brother Fang."

"They believe it?" Chen Fang blinked.

"Hehe!" Cui Yongxi chuckled sheepishly.

He's probably just using someone else's influence to intimidate others; the Americans probably think he's Chinese, a relative of Prince Chen.

Turning to look at the silent Zeng Fanbo, Chen Fang said, "I know you've been at Windermere Prep High School in Florida for two years now, right?"

"Yes, I'll be a senior in high school soon!" Zeng Fanbo is rather quiet, but he is actually very passionate. However, he prefers to show his passion on the field. In life, he is a quiet young man.

"Windermere High School is good. You're already a key player. Try your best to win the state championship next year!" Chen Fang encouraged him.

"I will, I guarantee I can win this championship!" Zeng Fanbo was still excited, feeling warm inside. He never expected that the god-like Emperor Chen would know him so well.

"Just do your best. Whether you succeed or not doesn't matter. How tall are you now?"

“It’s 203, with shoes on it it’s 205,” Zeng Fanbo replied quickly.

“I’m 195cm tall, put on your shoes!” Cui Yongxi quickly called out from the side.

Qin Changzheng's face darkened, and he simply took the basketball to the court to continue training, muttering, "What's the use of being tall? It's utterly useless! Humph!"

Ignoring the conspicuous bag, Chen Fang said to the two boys, "I watched the game for a while, and I want to ask why you lost."

Qin Changzheng, who had walked halfway, naturally turned back while holding the ball.

Zeng Fanbo bit his lip and remained silent, but Cui Yongxi pursed his lips and said, "I've been training all day, so my stamina is a bit low. I might not lose to him next time."

"I'm not strong enough," Zeng Fanbo answered honestly.

The three had very different personalities, which made Chen Fang, who had been suffering all day, very happy. He laughed and said to Ding Yanyuhang, who had been watching the show without saying a word, "Ding Shen, what's your analysis?"

"Four-word foreign aid!"

"Din Kobe?"

The two boys then noticed Ding Yanyuhang and exclaimed in surprise.

Ding Yanyuhang seemed pleased, a smile spreading across his face. He said, "Two people, one question."

"His basic ball-handling skills are too poor, coupled with his lack of physical strength, his movements become distorted as soon as he makes contact with the ball. How can he possibly make a shot?"

"Ding Kobe is really amazing! I admire him!" Cui Yongxi praised, giving two thumbs up.

Zeng Fanbo lowered his head, and Chen Fang noticed a detail: his hands clenched together.

This kid has too much pride. No wonder he's been in the US for two years and isn't as lively as Cui Yongxi who's only been here for a few days.

"I heard from Chen Fang that you've been in the US for two years, how come your basic skills are still like this?" Ding Yanyuhang clearly thought highly of Zeng Fanbo, ignoring Cui Yongxi's flattery, and asked.

"The coach asked me to play the stretch 4 and 5 positions, and I mainly participated in fast breaks and outside shooting," Zeng Fanbo explained with his head down. He felt ashamed, as his performance today was terrible in front of his two idols.

"You've all overlooked the underlying logic of ball handling. Don't focus too much on shooting and dunking techniques. Prioritize ball handling in your daily training." Ding Yanyuhang was right, so Chen Fang remained silent and let him provide guidance.

"The dribbling is not only high, but also doesn't hover, and the posture is also problematic. The ball gets dead as soon as there is contact."

Ding Yanyuhang said a few more words, then suddenly realized something was wrong and immediately understood.

"Leave this big shot behind, let me step up." Ding Yanyuhang thought to himself, and then pointed at Chen Fang.

"Let your Brother Fang summarize it."

Meeting the boy's expectant gaze, Chen Fang said, "This summer is a great opportunity. You can stay in Los Angeles. Zeng Fanbo, I'll arrange accommodation for you later. There are some staff rooms available here."

"As for you, you should go back to the training camp first. I'll bring you over after this is over." At first, Choi Young-hee was very disappointed, but he was overjoyed when he heard the second half of the sentence.

"Remember what Ding Shen said. You guys need to improve your control and movement skills, and pay attention to combining them with combat. Don't just bury yourself in training alone; find someone to practice against."

"Why are you all looking at me?" Qin Changzheng asked, puzzled, then quickly realized, "Hmph, you want me to be your sparring partner? No way!"

"Don't leave today, it's getting late. Give me your supervisor's phone number, and your guardian's too, I'll call and report!" Chen Fang was indeed thinking of making preparations in advance. These three people were all born in 03, and by 25, they would all be in their prime.

The future of the national team rests on them; this new blood is destined to replace the vast majority of the current national team players.

He called Ilya over, gave him instructions, and watched them leave. Chen Fang then beckoned with a cold expression, and Qin Changzheng obediently ran over.

"Do you really enjoy shooting basketball?"

Qin Changzheng chickened out and sheepishly lowered his head to count on his fingers.

"Coach Perez told me that all you think about is offense, you're a lone wolf, and you haven't even gotten 10 assists all season. Did you just ignore what I said?" Chen Fang had been wanting to teach this brat a lesson for a long time, and today he finally got his chance.

"I'm warning you, if you don't average 3 assists per game next season, you can go back to Zhaoqing, Guangdong, study hard, and play in CUBA. That's your best option."

"Don't try to argue or make excuses with me, there's no room for negotiation on this!" Chen Fang reached out and stopped the boy's attempt to explain.

"Get lost." Chen Fang was truly disappointed in Qin Changzheng. It was unlikely that Qin Changzheng would be taller than 190 cm, so he only had the option of being a combo guard. But this kid was really determined to go all the way down the path of being a lone wolf and a cancer.

"Come back!" Chen Fang remembered something else and called out to Qin Changzheng, who was running very fast and had almost left the stadium.

He came back honestly, looking as aggrieved as a quail, but Chen Fang saw through the kid's pretense immediately.

"This summer, stay in the Rock and hone your scoring skills after contact. Coach Wick and Karl will help you."

"Besides, both Zeng Fanbo and Cui Yongxi have a certain probability of making it to the NBA. Don't fall behind, understand?"

"Them? Master, are you lying to me?" Qin Changzheng was immediately displeased.

"What good would it do me to lie? Remember, this summer, the three of you will train together, learn from each other, and help each other! Do you hear me?!"

"I know! I heard you." Seeing that his master was serious, Qin Changzheng immediately cowered and quickly agreed.

"Get lost!" For some reason, Chen Fang couldn't help but get angry every time he saw this kid.

After sitting in the car with Ding Yanyuhang for a while, Ilya ran over.

"Everything's arranged?"

"It's arranged!"

"Let's go then."

"I won't stay at your place, I'll just have a meal," Ding Yanyuhang said somewhat reluctantly.

"Your room is not an issue. Besides, you're going to be staying in Los Angeles for a long time, so this house is yours."

"Huh? What does that mean?"

Chen Fang said with a hint of pride, "I moved to a seaside location, and you can live in my old house now. You don't need to worry about the rent; I've already prepaid for two years."

"Uh... okay." Ding Yanyuhang felt a bit conflicted. Looking at Chen Fang's profile, he recalled the days when they were still in Jinan, Shandong. That naive boy had grown into a towering tree.

I've reached the point where I need to rely on someone, but I feel somewhat relieved.

After all, it's really lucky to have friends like this in this world.

Ding Yanyuhang, you must make a comeback and live up to Prince Chen's expectations!

(End of this chapter)