NABC Chapter 71 Deciding the Fate of the Warmest Place! A Hardline Fight Against Bureaucracy
Chapter 71 Deciding the Fate of the Warmest Place! A Hardline Fight Against Bureaucracy
When the plane landed at Taoxian International Airport, a light drizzle was falling outside the window.
Lin Hao pushed his suitcase out of the arrival gate and immediately saw Lin Jianguo and Wang Guilan holding a sign that read "Welcome Da Cihua Home". The elderly couple were wearing brand-new clothes and their hair was neatly combed. The moment they saw Lin Hao, Wang Guilan burst into tears.
"My son! You're finally back!" Wang Guilan rushed over and hugged Lin Hao tightly, touching his face with heartache. "You've lost weight! You're so dark! Look at your arms, they're all so thin!"
"Mom, I'm fine, I'm perfectly alright, aren't I?" Lin Hao smiled and patted his mother's back. "You won the championship, be happy."
Lin Jianguo stepped forward, patted him on the shoulder, and his eyes reddened: "Good lad, you didn't disgrace our Lin family. Come on, let's go home. Your mother stewed a goose for you and steamed your favorite sticky rice cakes."
Zhao Dabao followed behind, carrying large bags of luggage, and said, "Uncle, Aunt, I'm getting some too! I have to eat two extra bowls of goose meat today!"
"You'll get your share!" Wang Guilan laughed and patted him on the shoulder. "You've been inseparable from Haozi since you were little, and now you're a big agent."
The group boarded the car and headed back to their hometown. Outside the car window, the familiar black soil of Northeast China stretched out in the rain, and the poplar leaves along the roadside shone brightly green, wet with raindrops. Lin Hao leaned against the car window, watching the scenery flash by, and a long-lost sense of peace welled up in his heart.
This is where he grew up; this is his root.
Back home, Wang Guilan immediately went into the kitchen and busied herself. Soon, a steaming pot of stewed goose was served, along with sauerkraut and pork belly, stir-fried potatoes, eggplant, and green peppers, and sticky rice dumplings—a table full of dishes. Lin Jianguo took out his treasured bottle of baijiu and poured a glass for Lin Hao and Zhao Dabao.
"Come on, let's have a drink!" Lin Jianguo raised his glass. "To celebrate Haozi winning the Asian Championship and bringing glory to the country!"
"Cheers!"
The glasses clinked together, making a crisp sound. Lin Hao downed his glass of wine in one gulp; the spicy liquid slid down his throat and into his stomach, leaving a warm feeling. He picked up a piece of goose meat and put it in his mouth; it tasted just like it did when he was a child.
After finishing their meal, Wang Guilan cleared away the dishes, while Lin Hao and Zhao Dabao sat cross-legged on the kang (a heated brick bed) with a plate of peanuts and melon seeds in front of them, and began to discuss matters related to the youth training camp.
"Haozi, are you really planning to sell everything you own to run this youth training camp?" Zhao Dabao asked, cracking sunflower seeds and frowning. "I did the math: venue rental, coach salaries, and student food and lodging—it'll cost at least five million a year. That doesn't even include equipment and renovations. You just signed a rookie contract; how much money do you have on hand?"
"I have over two million yuan. If that's not enough, I'll sell that apartment in the US," Lin Hao said firmly. "Money can be earned back, but these kids can't wait. Chinese basketball has fallen too far behind; we must start from the very beginning."
"Fine, since you've said that, what can I say?" Zhao Dabao tossed the sunflower seed shells aside. "I'll quit being your agent and work with you at the youth training camp. Even if we lose everything, we can just come back and sell kebabs at a street stall."
Lin Hao laughed and punched him lightly: "Don't worry, we won't lose money. I've already contacted several domestic sports brands, and they're all willing to sponsor us. And once the youth training camp achieves results, even more people will be willing to invest."
The two chatted over peanuts and melon seeds, discussing everything from venue selection to coach recruitment, from enrollment standards to training plans, until late into the night. The rain outside had long since stopped, and moonlight streamed through the window onto the kang (a heated brick bed), casting a silvery glow on their figures.
"As for the venue, I think the city center stadium is the most suitable," Zhao Dabao yawned. "It has a good location, a large area, and an outdoor basketball court. I just don't know if the sports association will approve it."
"I'll go to the provincial sports association tomorrow," Lin Hao said. "The youth training camp is a serious matter, and they should support it."
Zhao Dabao curled his lip: "Don't be too optimistic. Those officials are all incredibly arrogant. Let me tell you, this is definitely not going to be that easy."
The next morning, Lin Hao and Zhao Dabao drove to Fengtian and headed straight for the Provincial Sports Association.
The sports association's office building was quite impressive. The security guard at the entrance, seeing the two men dressed casually, stopped them: "Who are you looking for? Do you have an appointment?"
"We're looking for Director Wang, who's in charge of youth sports. We're here to discuss the youth training camp," Zhao Dabao said.
"Director Wang is in a meeting. You can wait outside," the security guard said expressionlessly.
This wait lasted for two hours.
Lin Hao sat on a bench in the lobby, watching the staff in suits coming and going, his heart sinking. Zhao Dabao was even more anxious, pacing back and forth, muttering repeatedly, "I told you, these people were deliberately making things difficult for us."
Finally, a middle-aged man with a beer belly emerged, followed by several subordinates. The security guard immediately went up to him, bowing and scraping, and said, "Director Wang, these two have been waiting for you for a long time. They said they're here to discuss the youth training camp."
Director Wang glanced at Lin Hao and Zhao Dabao, and said in a cold tone, "Oh, it's Lin Hao. Come in."
The two followed Director Wang into his office. The office was large and luxuriously decorated, with various awards and photos adorning the walls. Director Wang sat behind his large desk, took a sip of his tea, and slowly said, "Speak, what is it?"
"Director Wang, I'd like to set up a youth basketball training camp in Fengtian, specifically to cultivate young basketball talent," Lin Hao said bluntly. "I hope the Sports Association can provide us with some support and rent the provincial gymnasium to us as a training venue."
Director Wang put down his teacup, tapped his fingers on the table, and said, "Lin Hao, we fully support you in bringing glory to the country. Running a youth training camp is a good thing, and our sports association will definitely give it our full support. However…"
He changed the subject, a slight smile appearing on his face: "This youth training camp must be officially named 'Directly Under the Dongliao Sports Association.' Furthermore, we will appoint a deputy director as the honorary principal of the camp to oversee its daily management. The coaching team must also be arranged by our sports association."
Lin Hao's face instantly darkened.
Zhao Dabao couldn't hold back any longer and said, "Director Wang, isn't this unreasonable? We funded and managed the youth training camp ourselves, so why should it be branded with your name? And why should you send people to manage it?"
"How is it unreasonable?" Director Wang's face hardened. "Sports is a national undertaking and must be under the unified leadership of our Sports Association. If something goes wrong while you're running your own camps, who will be responsible? Besides, without our Sports Association's approval, you can't even get the venue."
"We can sign a safety agreement, and we'll take full responsibility for anything that happens," Lin Hao said. "As for the coaching team, I've already contacted the best basketball coach in China, as well as a foreign coach I hired from the United States. We don't need the sports association to arrange anything."
"That won't do!" Director Wang slammed his hand on the table. "My word is law! Either do it my way, or you can forget about running this youth training camp!"
Lin Hao suddenly stood up, placed his hands on the table, his eyes sharp as knives, and spoke in a resounding, authentic Northeastern accent:
"Director Wang, I'm only speaking to you politely because I respect you as a leader. But don't go too far!"
"I'm funding and providing personnel for this camp to cultivate future talent for Chinese basketball, not to be used as a tool for your political achievements!"
"Using your name? Making your people the principal? You'll do nothing but reap the rewards. Success is all yours, problems are all ours. Where in the world is there such a good deal?"
"Let me tell you, this youth training camp must be called 'Spark,' and we must control its management. If you're willing to support us, we welcome it; if not, I'll find the venue myself—I can always rent a warehouse and convert it into a training hall!"
His words were spoken with force and conviction, and the entire office fell silent.
Director Wang's face flushed red and then turned pale as Lin Hao confronted him, pointing at him and saying, "What... what kind of attitude is this! Let me tell you, without the approval of our sports association, your youth training camp is illegal! I can shut it down anytime!"
"Then you try!" Lin Hao retorted without backing down. "I'll expose this to the media tomorrow and let the whole country see how the Liaoning Provincial Sports Association suppresses a player who wants to do something meaningful for Chinese basketball!"
"How dare you!" Director Wang was so angry that he trembled all over.
"You'll see if I dare!" Lin Hao took out his phone, pretending to dial a number.
Just then, the office door was suddenly pushed open, and a middle-aged man in a tracksuit walked in, smiling and saying, "Oh dear, what's going on here? Why are you making such a racket?"
When Director Wang saw the visitor, his expression immediately softened: "Director Li, what brings you here?"
Director Li waved his hand, walked up to Lin Hao, extended his hand and said, "Comrade Lin Hao, hello. I am Li Jun, the deputy director of the Sports Association, and I have been paying close attention to you. I heard what you were saying just now."
He turned to Director Wang, his face serious, and said, "Old Wang, Comrade Lin Hao's decision to establish a youth training camp is a good thing, and we should fully support it. How can you make so many unreasonable demands?"
Director Wang lowered his head, not daring to speak.
Director Li then turned to Lin Hao, smiling, and said, "Comrade Lin Hao, I'm sorry you had to go through this. Your idea is excellent, and the name 'Spark Youth Training' is very meaningful. Our sports association is willing to cooperate with you and rent the provincial gymnasium to you free of charge. We will also provide you with some policy support."
Lin Hao was taken aback for a moment, then grasped Director Li's hand: "Director Li, thank you!"
"However," Director Li changed the subject, "we also have a small request. The name of the youth training camp could include the suffix 'Cooperating Unit of the Liaoning Sports Association,' so we can explain it to our superiors. Is that alright?"
Lin Hao thought for a moment and nodded: "Okay. As long as it doesn't interfere with our management and teaching, I have no objection."
"Great! It's settled then!" Director Li said happily. "I'll have someone draft the contract right away, and we can sign it this afternoon."
Stepping out of the sports association's gate, Zhao Dabao let out a long sigh of relief, patting his chest and saying, "My goodness, that scared me to death! I thought the whole thing was ruined. Director Li is such a good person."
Lin Hao looked up at the sky, sunlight streaming through the clouds and illuminating his face. A smile crept onto his lips: "Good things come to those who wait. The youth training camp can finally be launched."
That afternoon, both parties officially signed a cooperation agreement. The venue for the Xinghuo Youth Training Camp will be the provincial gymnasium, with a five-year lease and no rent. The Liaoning Provincial Sports Association will provide policy support as a partner, but will not interfere with the daily management and teaching work of the youth training camp.
The news sent shockwaves through the entire sports community of Liaoning Province. Countless children and parents who love basketball eagerly awaited the opening of the Spark Youth Training Camp.
Lin Hao stood at the entrance of the provincial gymnasium, looking at the empty basketball court, his eyes filled with hope.
He knew that a seed of basketball had already been planted on this black soil.
Before long, it will take root, sprout, and grow into a towering tree.