After another week of training, as his muscle memory continued to deepen, Qin Yue's shot accuracy from open positions had significantly improved.
Under Chris Paul's guidance, Qin Yue also gained a deeper understanding of positioning and timing in pick-and-roll plays.
While a seemingly simple technique, the fundamental skill of pick-and-roll is actually quite complex.
Even in the NBA, the pick-and-roll ability of some inside players can only be described as painful to watch.
These players not only fail to block defenders during picks but might even mistime their rolls, causing their ball-handling teammates to get trapped on the court.
On the court, when practicing pick-and-roll with Paul, Qin Yue would often observe Paul's every move in advance and position himself according to Paul's playing habits.
For this, Paul was both surprised and delighted.
He was surprised that he hadn't realized before how exceptional his senior's basketball IQ was.
Delighted because, in less than twenty days, he and Qin Yue had developed considerable chemistry.
In Paul's eyes, Qin Yue seemed to know him inside out, fully understanding his playing habits.
The only pity was that Qin Yue was unaware of Paul's thoughts. Otherwise, he would definitely tell Paul...
As a thirty-year veteran and basketball enthusiast, he would ask, is there anyone in this world who understands Paul better than I do?
Moreover, it's worth mentioning that during these days of training, Qin Yue successfully unlocked another hidden task.
"[Hidden Task: Impenetrable Wall] has been triggered.
Having found your self-positioning, you are determined to become a pick-and-roll expert.
However, if pick-and-roll were truly that simple, why are there so many idiots in the NBA who can't even get pick-and-roll right?
Task completion requirement: Successfully execute one hundred pick-and-rolls in official games for your teammates.
Task completion reward: Impenetrable Wall Badge.
Note: The success of pick-and-rolls will be judged by the system based on the quality of the host's execution."
After triggering two hidden tasks in a row, Qin Yue found that the Mountain Peak System, bound to him, issues various hidden tasks based entirely on his real-life experiences.
Although Qin Yue temporarily doesn't know the specific effect of these task rewards, he is sure that these badges will greatly benefit his basketball skills.
"Alright, you keep practicing. It's snack time for me." At the outdoor court, after tossing the basketball to Qin Yue, Paul said.
Convinced that he would still grow, and needing a stronger body when joining the college basketball team, Paul used breaks between training with Qin Yue to supplement energy with additional meals recently.
However, after noticing what Paul's snack was today...
Qin Yue suddenly felt that this little shortie, who could barely reach his knee when jumping, must be doing it on purpose!
Nearby, as Paul opened the lid of his lunchbox, a few pieces of fragrant fried chicken fillets were revealed!
Seeing this, Qin Yue forcibly swallowed his saliva while mentally drawing countless little circles on Paul.
What a vile tease!
Trying to test a seasoned player with this?
Sitting under the basketball hoop and observing Qin Yue's colorful expressions, Paul showed a sly smile and said, "I bought these chicken fillets from the most famous fried chicken shop in town.
The owner said he used over ten different spices just to marinate these fillets. So, what do you think, need me to share a few pieces with you, Qin?"
Seeing this, Qin Yue could definitely confirm that Paul was doing this on purpose today.
There's nothing he could do. Since he decided to help his senior, Paul naturally had to train his senior's willpower too.
In Paul's view, although Qin Yue has already shown an unwavering weight loss resolve lately, he felt it necessary to give him a preemptive measure to prevent him from succumbing to temptation halfway.
Ha, you think Paul is doing this prank today because his relationship with Qin Yue has warmed up recently?
No, no, Chris Paul wouldn't be that kind of person, right?
However, unexpectedly for Paul...
Though someone indeed wanted to rush forward and grab the chicken fillets from Paul at this moment, after calming down, Qin Yue resisted his craving and said to Paul, "Chris, didn't you notice these fillets are overcooked?"
What?
At this moment, Paul first glanced at Qin Yue, then looked down at the lunchbox in his hand, displaying a puzzled expression.
After a brief pause, Qin Yue continued, "These fillets obviously use the Malaysian spiced fried chicken method, but since this kind of fried chicken doesn't have a coating, it requires great skill in controlling the oil temperature and time.
Look at the spice color on your fillets, they've turned into an overcooked brown."
After speaking, pretending not to see Paul's reaction, Qin Yue turned around and threw himself into shooting practice.
As for Paul?
He just stood there, feeling petrified in the blowing wind, holding his lunchbox.
As a deep-fried chicken enthusiast, this was absolutely the most flavorless day of Paul's life.
Because after what Qin Yue said, even the fried chicken he once approved of didn't taste as good anymore!
Struggling to chew a few bites, Paul put down the lunchbox and looked at Qin Yue with curiosity, "This fried chicken... can it be made even more perfect?"
Hearing this, Qin Yue nodded, "If cooked to perfection, this fried chicken's meat texture should be crispier, tender, and fluffy, and the outer layer would be thinner and tighter."
Paul raised his head and asked, "Have you tasted the most perfect version of this fried chicken?"
Qin Yue shrugged, "Not only have I tasted it, but I can also make it."
Looking at Qin Yue's convincing physique, Paul said, "Qin, can you make me some when you get the chance?"
Qin Yue grinned, "Of course, I can, but Chris, not now.
Because in my current state, the fried chicken might be gone before I even finish cooking it due to my own voracity.
Once I get back to normal weight, I'll surely make you a delicious fried chicken you've never tasted before."
Fixing his wide eyes, and feeling as if a thousand ants were crawling over his body, Paul's face suddenly turned serious.
Slowly walking to Qin Yue, Paul gave him a firm kick and said, "Then what are you standing there for? Get moving, buddy, your training today hasn't even met the mark!"
Qin Yue: "..."
Watching Paul's serious face, Qin Yue could never have imagined that the God of Point Guards would be so obsessed with a piece of fried chicken.
Moreover, what surprised Qin Yue even more was that their interaction had quietly triggered another hidden task...
"[Hidden Task: Fried Chicken Buddies] has been triggered.
To help you lose weight, your good buddy Chris Paul has gone to great lengths.
So in return, you should indeed fulfill your promise and make him a delicious fried chicken feast after your weight loss journey.
Task completion condition: After the Mountain Peak System is activated, Chris Paul must rate your fried chicken with five stars.
Task completion reward: Fried Chicken Buddies Badge.
Note: This badge is only effective when the host and Chris Paul are on the same team, and it will greatly increase the probability of Chris Paul giving the host perfect passes on the same team."
Seeing this sudden text in his mind, Qin Yue was the one petrified this time.
Because he never expected that he just wanted to play basketball...
Yet this pesky system also wanted to test his culinary skills.
"Seems some novels, after all, are quite close to reality."
At this moment, recalling a novel he once read about culinary skills wooing Kobe, Qin Yue silently thought to himself.
...
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