Ever since getting Qin Yue's promise, Paul became increasingly strict with Qin Yue's training.
But whenever he was coaching Qin Yue through some high-intensity foundational training, Paul would always look at Qin Yue with a face full of skepticism: "Senior, are you really a player who played for four years in American High School basketball?"
Qin Yue understood the implication behind Paul's words, so every time he had to bear the blame for the "Qin Yue," he could only respond to Paul with an even more focused training attitude.
And in response, Paul often showed a very satisfied expression, "That's right, American High School basketball and college basketball are two entirely different worlds. Relying on talent alone won't allow you to survive in college basketball, senior."
Although Paul hadn't yet ventured into college basketball at that moment, it didn't stop him from pointing out the basics to Qin Yue.
Additionally, it's worth mentioning that after finding out his brother recently took on the role of Qin Yue's personal trainer, Charles C.J. Paul, who was playing for Hampton University, also joined in on coaching Qin Yue.
"Is this chubby guy really the Qin I remember?"
Because back when C.J. graduated high school, the "Qin Yue" at the time had not yet started slacking off, so unless he saw it with his own eyes, C.J. really couldn't believe that the Chinese kid Coach Luton once thought so highly of could turn out like this.
"Luckily, it's not too late to wake up. Coach Luton used to say, if you could put half as much thought into basketball, you would definitely secure a spot as a main player on the school team." After patting Qin Yue on the shoulder, C.J. said.
Compared to his brother Paul, C.J.'s personality was more outgoing, with a greater range of interests and hobbies.
Outside training, he would always discuss various topics of interest to young people with Qin Yue.
And upon noticing that Qin Yue's personality had become more cheerful than before, C.J. couldn't help but tease, "If you had been this lively before, you wouldn't still have been a virgin when I graduated."
Hearing this, Qin Yue, who again was silently shouldering the blame for the original owner of the body, could only hang his head quietly.
It's clear that the introverted and self-centered "Qin Yue" experienced all sorts of cultural adaptation issues from the moment he set foot on American soil.
He wasn't accustomed to life in the United States and didn't know how to interact with his American peers, leading to him becoming marginalized both at school and on the court.
"You might not believe it, Qin, but don't be fooled by Chris who never gives up; deep down, he's always been afraid of being alone.
That's why, when I found out he comes to train with you every afternoon, I couldn't wait to come see you myself.
While I don't know what you've been through in the past two years, I very much like and appreciate your current state.
Qin, you know, when we were kids, our father often told Chris and me that rather than envy those legends, it's better to find a way to write your own legendary story.
I can't presumptuously claim how far you can go on this basketball path, but I believe, as long as you persist, your journey will certainly become your own legend."
As a key figure in Paul's potential success in the NBA, it's undeniable that Paul's brother C.J. is indeed, as Paul once said in an interview, an inspiring brother.
And with the company of the Paul brothers, by the 40th day of the weight loss plan, Qin Yue successfully lost 15 kilograms.
From 180 kilograms to 165 kilograms, although Qin Yue's weight was still considered overweight, his agility had noticeably improved in training these days.
Moreover, through this period of high-intensity training, Qin Yue's various basketball fundamentals had made significant progress.
As C.J. put it, Qin Yue now finally had something of the appearance of a basketball player.
Additionally, after successfully completing the second and third stage tasks of the Mountain Peak system...
Now, able to exchange a bottle of Nutritional Supplement from the system every day, Qin Yue also acquired rewards that included +8 potential agility, +4 potential speed, +2 potential jumping, and +4 potential strength for the future.
In the upcoming fourth stage challenge, if Qin Yue could successfully complete it, apart from gaining another four points in future jumping potential and two points in speed potential, he would also receive an additional reward called the "Terminator Gift Package."
"In a couple of days, there will be a three-on-three streetball competition in Winston-Salem, and I've already taken the liberty of signing you up." This day, after training ended, Paul suddenly said to Qin Yue.
Seeing this, Qin Yue, who was also eager to test himself in actual combat lately, smiled and said, "Thanks, Chris."
At this moment, Qin Yue didn't notice that Paul, having just spoken to him, immediately revealed a mischievous grin.
"Chris, why didn't you tell Qin that Chris Ellis would also be participating in that match?" C.J. said with a perplexed expression after Qin Yue left.
Upon hearing this, Paul shook his head and replied, "Why tell him? To create psychological panic?
Compared to a prepared match, an encounter game can better assess the recent progress Qin has made."
C.J. sighed and said, "But he's going to be up against the center of the Devil's Deacon Team, after all."
Paul shrugged, "What's there to fear? If you're going to fight, fight the strongest; isn't that our family creed?"
...
Two days later, at an open-air court named "River Valley" in the small town of Winston-Salem, Qin Yue officially faced the first basketball game since he arrived in this world.