Chapter 30: Fans

"Gentlemen and ladies, you are welcome to take flight UA5022 of United Airlines, a member of the Star Alliance, to Indianapolis. The doors are closed. Please turn off your mobile phones and other electronic devices and fasten your seat belts. Now I will play the safety notice for you Please pay attention to the video, all members of our crew will serve you wholeheartedly, wish you a pleasant journey, thank you." A soft female voice rang in the ears of Zhang Yu and Curry.

Today is the second day after Christmas, and the two flew back to Indiana. On December 12, the Bulldogs will go to an away game to challenge Milwaukee State University. After returning, the team will have to practice.

The two chatted and laughed quietly in their seats, discussing the schedule after Christmas.

"Boss, when are we going to play Purdue?" Curry asked.

"It depends on the situation. They are a Big Ten team. If they can enter March Madness, they may encounter them. Otherwise, they will have to wait until next season." Zhang Yu fastened his seat belt carefully.

The number of teams in the Horizon League is somewhat small, and Butler has to play against teams from other leagues every season to meet the number of games required for a season.

While the two were chatting, Zhang Yu noticed a white boy in the front row looking back at them frequently, opening and closing his mouth, as if about to say something.

"May I ask what's the matter?" Zhang Yu asked curiously when he turned his head again.

The white boy didn't seem to expect that Zhang Yu would take the initiative to talk to him, and he was startled and leaned back.

Curry also turned sideways to look at him curiously.

"Hey, Coach Z, Stephen, I... I'm also a student of Butler, I've noticed you since you got on the plane, can you take a photo together? Just one!" The white boy said with some stumbles.

Zhang Yu couldn't help laughing. He didn't expect to meet fans on the plane, and said bluntly:

"How about one photo, at least one for each of us? Or do you only want to take a photo with one of us?"

"No, no, I was just worried that you would get bored, thank you!" the white boy waved his hands again and again, and said in surprise.

Later, Zhang Yu and Curry asked him to take a few photos with him, which attracted the attention of many people around, but this was not in Indiana after all, let alone Butler. No one else knew Zhang Yu and Curry. He took his eyes back.

"Thank you, I watched every game of the Bulldogs... Coach Z, we have such a good record this year, can we enter March Madness? I am about to graduate soon. For the past four years, my biggest wish is Seeing that the bulldog can play in the championship." The white boy looked at Zhang Yu with full expectation.

Zhang Yu was silent for a while, then nodded slowly:

"I promise you, we'll make it to March Madness!"

"Great! Then I will definitely go to the scene to cheer for the team!" The white boy waved his fist a little, his face flushed with excitement, and he turned his head contentedly.

Curry put his head close to Zhang Yu's ear, smiled and whispered:

"Boss, this is the first time I've been recognized outside the school!"

"Do you like this feeling?" Zhang Yu smiled

"Of course, I felt like a star just now. The feeling of being liked...it's so wonderful." Curry showed an uncontrollable smile on his face.

"Then practice hard, as long as we keep winning, make it to March Madness, make it to the top 32, make it to the top [-]... win the championship, everyone in the United States will know you, and you will gain a lot Fans." Zhang Yu said slowly.

As he narrated, the longing in Curry's eyes became more and more intense:

"Like Kobe and Wade?"

"Kobe? That's not far away." Zhang Yu smiled and shook her head, "They are superstars with many fans all over the world. NCAA stars are only famous in the United States. Foreigners don't watch NCAA, such as in China. , Few people even know about the NCAA."

He paused and looked out the porthole:

"If you want to become a superstar that everyone is watching, go to the NBA. There are the strongest opponents, the most reliable teammates, and the fiercest competition. If you stand out there, you will be famous all over the world. , someone will recite your name."

When he said the last sentence, Zhang Yu smiled.

"So you like it, boss?" Curry asked rhetorically.

"Of course, who doesn't like the feeling of attention?" Zhang Yu laughed.

"But the NCAA is not well-known in China, don't you want to be known by people in your hometown?" Curry wondered.

"The plane is about to take off. Passengers please fasten your seat belts and don't walk around in the aisle..." Zhang Yu was about to answer when her soft and beautiful voice sounded again.

"Om-"

The plane started to start and gradually accelerated on the runway. The roar of the engine became louder and louder until it filled people's ears.

After a while, the plane flew into the sky smoothly, and the loud noise gradually weakened until it disappeared.

Zhang Yu looked out the window and said lightly:

"So, I'm going to the NBA, too."

At this moment, the plane had ascended to the troposphere and was flying smoothly. The dazzling sunlight shone through the portholes unobstructed, casting a bright light.

More than two hours later, the plane landed at Indianapolis International Airport, and Zhang Yu and Curry took a taxi back to school.

After entering the campus, the two separated, and Zhang Yu returned to his apartment.

The room that I haven't lived in for three days has already accumulated a little dust. Zhang Yu simply cleaned it, went to the supermarket to buy some food and put it in the refrigerator, and finally had time to rest.

He collapsed on the sofa, turned on the TV, and changed channels frequently, not knowing what to watch.

In 2006, mobile phones were still candy bars, and the most popular game was "Warcraft", which made it impossible for Zhang Yu, who played "League of Legends" the most, to start, and he had no interest in American dramas at all. It started to grow in his heart.

"Ding..."

Just when Zhang Yu was in a daze with the TV as the background sound, the cell phone rang suddenly.

He picked it up and saw it was Mark Baum calling.

"Hey, Mark, how are you doing?" He picked up the phone.

"It's okay, just paid last month's premium to Deutsche Bank a few days ago." Mark Baum said.

Zhang Yu smiled:

"This is the last darkness before dawn. In March next year, at most until April, the subprime mortgage market will usher in a shock, and we won't have to pay out by then."

"These are all expected things. I'm mentally prepared...Are you busy tomorrow?" Mark Baum said indifferently.

"No, to tell you the truth, I'm bored right now."

"Well, do you want to watch an NBA game? I have two tickets in my hand."