Chapter 1 Philadelphia Evening News

The chief reporter of the *Philadelphia Evening News*, Markson, was immersed in revising an article he had recently written.

"'A Gorgeous Transformation'? No, this title won't do.

If I write it like that, wouldn't I be denying my previous evaluation of Su?

After all, Su was a genius to begin with. The word 'transformation' isn't suitable for him.

Hmm...

It seems I still have to use a double headline here."

As the first basketball reporter on record to buy "Su stock," Markson's mood lately could only be described as excellent.

Especially after interviewing Lower Merion's four preseason games in the new season, watching Su Feng's increasingly thick elbows, Markson felt extremely gratified.

Because in America, there were too many basketball geniuses who faded into obscurity after just one summer.

In Markson's view, a genius who knows how to restrain himself and is willing to work hard is a good genius.

Just as Markson was reveling in the soaring "Su stock," a new intern he had taken on this year, named Dibeto, hurriedly "barged" into his office.

Markson's face darkened. "Musa, how many times have I told you to knock before entering? What if you interrupt my precious inspiration?"

Dibeto nodded apologetically. "Sorry, boss. It was my recklessness. I'll definitely pay attention next time."

"Okay, speak. What is it?"

After all, he himself had come from being an intern reporter, so after Dibeto admitted his mistake, Markson didn't make things difficult for him.

"Boss, there are three reporters from China who want to see you. These are their credentials."

Dibeto placed three press cards on Markson's desk, then retreated obediently to the side.

"China?" Markson took a sip of coffee while picking up the credentials...

*Pfft*—!

"Where are they?"

Markson pulled out a tissue, wiped his mouth, and then wiped the press cards he had sprayed with coffee, looking at Dibeto as he asked.

"In the meeting room," Dibeto replied.

"Let's go!" As a well-informed reporter, Markson naturally recognized the credentials.

Of course, Markson didn't recognize the people in the photos.

But how could Markson not recognize *Da Tian Chao* News Agency?

…

*Philadelphia Evening News* meeting room.

As a newbie, Su Junyang was a little nervous holding the new camera issued by his unit.

Although Su Junyang had been a CCTV basketball broadcast guest in '92, this was his first time going abroad for an interview.

Before going abroad, his college classmates from back then had "crowdfunded" a suit for him, saying that he couldn't embarrass himself when he got to America.

However, because time was too tight, this suit was clearly a bit too big.

"Teacher Xu, you went to Barcelona in '92.

Do you think we'll come back empty-handed this time?"

Su Junyang looked at Xu Jicheng, wanting to find some topics to ease the nervousness in his heart.

"Whether we'll come back empty-handed, I think we'll know after we meet this reporter named Markson."

Xu Jicheng, wearing a t-shirt with a distinctly '90s feel, replied.

"By the way, Director Zhang, you've seen the footage. Do you think Su Feng is as amazing as the Americans say?"

Su Junyang turned to look at Zhang Weiping.

At this time, Director Zhang was in his prime. Maintaining a good figure, he still looked very young because he persisted in exercising.

Director Zhang smiled slightly. "Little Su, I can't give you a definite answer just by watching the footage."

Su Junyang nodded, thinking to himself: As expected of Teacher Xu and Director Zhang, when will I be able to be as calm and composed as them?

The wait for this small team of reporters wasn't too long. About a few minutes later, they met Markson, the chief reporter of the *Philadelphia Evening News*.

After exchanging greetings, Markson quickly understood the team's intentions.

"You want to interview Su?" Markson asked.

"Yes, yes." At this time, Director Zhang's English was clearly not as fluent as it would be in the future.

"Why are you only coming now?" Markson questioned.

This stumped the team.

Fortunately, the well-informed Xu Jicheng smiled and said, "Mr. Markson, you know, China and the United States are separated by a vast ocean.

Moreover, both of our countries are major powers, and we also have to go through procedures for overseas interviews.

Therefore, please forgive us for only coming to visit today."

Listening to Xu Jicheng's fluent English, especially his elegant demeanor, Markson said with surprise, "Okay, Lower Merion is playing Erie Catholic High School in the opening game tomorrow.

I can take you to the scene to watch, and after the game, you can interview Su in person."

"Okay, okay!" Director Zhang smiled.

"But I suggest you prepare yourselves mentally, especially prepare earplugs in advance," Markson added.

"Earplugs?" Xu Jicheng and Su Junyang felt a little confused.

"Yes," Markson replied affirmatively.

…

The next day, at the agreed time, the trio of reporters met Markson, who was driving a Ford sedan, at the entrance of the hotel.

On the way, the trio learned that Lower Merion was now the most popular basketball team in all of Pennsylvania.

"But isn't there an NBA team in Philadelphia?" The young Su Junyang asked curiously.

"Forget it, the 76ers are like a rotten apple. You'll know in a moment.

In your Chinese words, this is called 'seeing is believing'?"

Markson said while driving.

Just as this Ford sedan carrying four people was driving about five or six kilometers away from Lower Merion High School...

On the road, the trio saw a scene that they would never forget—

The streets were densely packed with people holding signs and wearing white t-shirts.

"Is this going to be a parade?" Su Junyang asked in surprise.

Markson was amused. "No, they're just on their way to cheer for Lower Merion."

Xu Jicheng and Zhang Weiping looked at each other. "Looking at the signs they're holding, they do say slogans to cheer for Lower Merion."

"I told you, Lower Merion is the most popular basketball team in all of Pennsylvania, without exception," Markson said proudly.

…

Soon, under Markson's guidance, the trio arrived at Lower Merion.

Looking at the scene along the way, which was like a festival, Su Junyang asked after taking a few photos, "But there are so many fans, even a soccer stadium wouldn't be able to accommodate them all, right?"

Markson nodded. "Of course it wouldn't, but so what?"

"In Philadelphia, who doesn't want to witness the glory of the Philadelphia Twin Stars with their own eyes?" After a pause, Markson added.

After hearing Markson's words, the trio became even more interested in Su Feng.

Because at least, they could confirm that there was definitely such a person as Su Feng in Philadelphia.

Moreover, judging by this, he was very popular?

After arriving at the basketball gym, Markson took the trio to the VIP seats exclusively for reporters: behind the basketball hoop.

At this time, there was still a while before the game started, but the atmosphere in the entire school basketball gym was already approaching a climax.

"This atmosphere is really too good. High school basketball can have such an atmosphere. It really is the country of basketball," Su Junyang thought with emotion.

*Bang*, *bang*, *bang*!

On the court, before the game had even started, led by the cheerleading captain, Tina Lucas, Lower Merion's exclusive, blood-pumping war dance began.

"We are famous throughout Pennsylvania, we forge ahead bravely,

We run forward, we are the defending champions,

Lower Merion, charge, charge, charge!"

It's worth mentioning that just as the trio was silently feeling this blood-pumping war dance, Markson, who was experienced, had already taken out his earplugs.

Because next—

"Their names resound through the skies of Pennsylvania!

Lake Erie boils because of them, they are wilder than the stags of Asbury!

They are the pride of Philadelphia, ladies and gentlemen, please let us shout their names together—"

"Kobe————Bryant————!!"

"Su (shu)————Feng————!!"

Inside the player tunnel, a handsome black young man first caught the eye of the trio.

And then, following behind this black young man, was a handsome Chinese young man.

He was Su Feng.

Xu Jicheng, Zhang Weiping, and Su Junyang regretted it.

Because they hadn't bought earplugs.

Along with the cheers that kept echoing in the basketball gym, at this moment, the trio felt as if their eardrums were about to explode!

But just as the trio was feeling the pain brought by their exploding eardrums...

On the court, as Lower Merion's impromptu warm-up performance, Su Feng threw a three-pointer from the player tunnel that was as far away as possible when he came on the court.

*Swish*—!

"Hmm... My luck is not bad today. It's not suitable to farm iron. Let's go all out." After testing his luck, Su Feng slowly stepped onto the court.

At this time, Kobe suddenly gave Su Feng a look.

Su Feng smiled, jogged slowly towards the court, and after picking up the basketball, threw the ball to Kobe, who had already run to the center circle.

Accelerate, sprint, jump into the air—!

An impromptu windmill dunk from Kobe Bryant!

*Bang*—!

"Do you want to dunk one too?" Listening to the cheers from the audience, Kobe said to Su Feng after landing.

Su Feng spread his hands. "Then pay attention to the height. Don't make it too high. I'm not you."

Kobe smiled. "Don't worry, I guarantee that the fans will only see your strengths."

Su Feng nodded and started running towards the other half of the court with Kobe.

Just as Su Feng was about to reach the three-second zone, Kobe suddenly tossed the basketball up.

Su Feng's jumping and hang time certainly couldn't compare with a dead Bt like Kobe...

But, he had long arms.

Later, there was Durant's single-arm, full-circle, free-body 1440-degree windmill... Ah, *pui*! Can Durant turn 1440 degrees?

*Ahem*...

Anyway, today, Su Feng soared into the air and split the mountain with his strength!

*Bang*—!

"Kobe——!!" "Kobe——!!" "Kobe——!!"

"Su——!!" "Su——!!" "Su——!!"

Inside the basketball gym, the fans had gone crazy.

Especially those female students whose eyes had turned into hearts.

"Awei is dead!"

This method of warming up through some impromptu performances at the start was suggested by Su Feng to Kobe.

Because Su Feng knew that if he wanted to skip college and enter the NBA, he would have to give full play to the power of the people.

The American people of this era were incredibly *chuunibyou*, so Su Feng called this adapting to local conditions, meeting tricks with tricks, and doing as the Romans do.

Moreover, Kobe couldn't have liked this suggestion more.

After all, what 17-year-old wouldn't want to show off?

However, just as Su Feng landed after the dunk, in a daze, he felt that his eyes were playing tricks on him...

Huh, isn't that the kind Director Zhang whose jaw is about to drop to the ground?

Hiss~, isn't that Su Junyang, Teacher Su, wearing a suit that clearly doesn't fit?

Wow, isn't that the tall and upright middle-aged man Da Xu, Teacher Xu?

Su Feng rubbed his eyes, confirming that he wasn't seeing things.

Huh?

Just as Su Feng was secretly surprised, behind the basketball hoop, Su Junyang excitedly tugged at Zhang Weiping's sleeve. "Director Zhang, Director Zhang, did you see it, did you see it?"

Director Zhang nodded. "Saw it, saw it..."

Xu Jicheng shook his head. "What kind of monster is this?"

Of course, the trio was no stranger to dunks, especially Xu Jicheng, who had even interviewed All-Star games.

But...

When the 17-year-old Su Feng and Kobe fearlessly displayed their talents, they really hadn't considered the feelings of the trio.

Before going abroad, Zhang Weiping had specially met with the leaders of the Basketball Association.

At that time, the leaders of the Basketball Association used Ma Mouren as an example, meaning that the level of American high school students might not be very high, and Zhang Weiping must have his own judgment.

But now, Zhang Weiping felt that he had lost his so-called judgment.

If Kobe and Su Feng weren't geniuses.

Then who was?

Was it Odom, who had been defeated by Kobe, or was it McGrady, who had been defeated by Su Feng?

The Philadelphia Twins, they were the "Beatles" of Pennsylvania.

"Are... Are they really only 17 years old?" After a long time, Zhang Weiping muttered to himself.