Chapter 5 : Mei Xing's Past
Hui Yin : Actually, it was Coach Chai who asked me to help her...
Jia Li : Coach Chai? Ah... That old man that keep trying to contact Mei Xing...
Hui Yin : .... [ Old man? He's just in his early 40's]....
Jia Li : With all due respect, I suggest you go tell Coach Chai that he's wasting his time. There's no longer space for basketball in Mei Xing's heart.
[ She had already thrown away the key... But can't blame her though.. Basketball is now a part of a painful memory for her.]
Hui Yin : I don't understand... How could you just let her be like that? I'm sure her parents would be sad to see her like this.
Jia Li : Believe me, if you've seen how devastated she was back then, you wouldn't have the heart to force her to do something that would remind her about her late parents.
Hui Yin : "But didn't you said you made a birthday wish so that she play basketball with you again?"
Jia Li : .... It's a really long story.....
Hui Yin : I'm not rushing to anywhere. Go on..
Seeing Hui Yin was eager to hear more about Mei Xing, Jia Li didn't have any reason to reject. Perhaps, she could actually help Mei Xing... Or maybe someone in the basketball club could.. Uncle Wu and Auntie Wu , it's not wrong to hope right...
Jia Li : " You see, she used to be very optimistic and vibrant. I've watch her play ever since young. She's a great leader who knows how to win over her teammate's heart and make their worries disappear. Whenever there's difficulty during the games, just seeing a smile from her that made us knew that the tables were about to turn.
Her fans even gave her a nick name "Beautiful Star" because she shines beautifully whenever and wherever she is. To see someone to drastically change... All I wished was.... At least to see my dear friend to enjoy playing basketball and not hating it. She keeps blaming herself even though it's not her fault. "
Hui Yin : Why? What exactly happen?
Jia Li : I thought Coach Chai already told you?
Hui Yin : He told me that Mei Xing's parents passed away due to a helicopter crash that occurred 3 years ago. A bit about Mei Xing's parents' achievement. And about how close he is with Mei Xing's father when Coach Wu was still alive. And that Coach Wu once asked Coach Chai to look after Mei Xing if she enroll in Tian Fu Academy.
Jia Li : Hmm... I see... So Coach Chai feels like he's now responsible for Mei Xing now huh... [ Seems like it's a good thing that I persuade Mei Xing to transfer to Tian Fu Academy. Maybe this place can actually help her to open her heart again. Even if it's not basketball, at least let her find the meaning of living again. And her passion in life... ]
Hui Yin : Jia Li.. If I may ask... What did you meant when you said Mei Xing blames herself for her parents death?
Jia Li : Well..... I think that's enough for today... I should get going. Goodbye Vice....
Before Jia Li managed to say "Captain" , Hui Yin grab her hand, unwilling to let her leave just yet.
Hui Yin : I'm not letting you go until you tell me the whole story. Please, you can trust me. I just want to help her and..
Jia Li : And what? Make her play basketball again? I've been trying to help her for the past 3 years! I'm her closest friend yet I still couldn't convince her that it's not her fault! Recently, I even had to use my birthday wish as an excuse just to make her play again. But only for a day and after that she don't even want to touch the basketball anymore. And you know what? You keep saying that you want to help her but what can you do? You are NOBODY to her !
Hui Yin was surprised by Jia Li's sudden outburst that she let her hand go.
[What she said was true. Even if she did meet her, what can she say? "Hey, let's play basketball?" Yeah right... I'm nobody to her so why would she listen to me..
But she would listen to Jia Li right....]
With a glimmer of hope, Hui Yin grab Jia Li's hand before Jia Li leaves. Jia Li's patience was running out and was ready to shout at Hui Yin to let her hand go but her anger slowly dissipated when she listened to Hui Yin's suggestion.
Jia Li : You want me to trick Mei Xing to come for the friendly match next week? I doubt she would be willing to come. Even if she did, it would be a miracle if she actually play.
Hui Yin : Come on, she has a soft spot for you right? Just say whatever you have to gain her sympathy. Then surely she come to replace you for the friendly match. As for you, I can ask Coach Chai to prepare a different "test" for you. However, based on your performance earlier, you're already live up to Coach Chai's expectations.
And let's say she found out that the friendly match is part of the selection, I can just say if she's not playing on your behalf, we'll say that you'll be disqualified. Knowing that she cares for you, she'll definitely play on your behalf right?
Jia Li : Um... Why are you so certain that she cares for me to the extend to play the sport she currently hate the most with members that she don't even know? Plus, isn't it weird for someone that DIDN'T TAKE PART in the selection to replace someone that TAKE PART in the selection...
Hui Yin : Actually, it is weird.
Jia Li : ...
Hui Yin : But our main goal is to make Mei Xing play at least a game. Don't you think so?
I bet Mei Xing is also competitive right? If we made her go against the ace of boy's team, wouldn't she feel challenged? And if she lose, wouldn't that encourage her to train again?
Jia Li : Hahahaha... Well, that depends how good he is. Mei Xing had beaten EVERY boys that ever challenged her, no matter how bigger or taller they are compared to Mei Xing. She was THAT skillful in finding her opponent's flaw and use it as her advantage.
Hui Yin : Then lucky for us, the ace I was talking about used to trained under Coach Wu.
Jia Li : !!!!!
Hui Yin : If these two meet, I'm pretty sure it's going to be interesting when they go against each other. And I think if there's anyone else that could make Mei Xing play again, then he's our best shot now.
Jia Li : ....
Hui Yin : You probably don't trust me, but I'm serious when I said I want to help her. Also, Coach Chai wanted to meet and have a talk with Mei Xing because he has something that belongs to Coach Wu. However, he can only give it to her if she become the Captain or someone important like ace in the basketball team. That was his promise with Coach Wu.
Actually, this is to make sure that she strive in basketball. However, since things are different now, Coach Chai want to at least stop Mei Xing from hating basketball. After all, basketball means everything to her father. That is, before he met her mother and had Mei Xing as their only daughter.
Jia Li : I see....
Hui Yin : Um... About Coach Chai's promise to Coach Wu, I hope you could keep this a secret from Mei Xing. If she finds Coach Chai just to get back her late father's belonging without the intention to play basketball again, then that beats the purpose of Coach Wu asking Coach Chai for a favor.
Jia Li : [A favor huh... Maybe I can use that against Mei Xing]
Alright... I'll do what I can to make sure she come next week. I just hope you won't make things worst.
*End of flashback*