Watching Wang Yi's Game at the Movie Theater

Inside a movie theater in Chang'an, China.

Around fifty people had gathered to watch the game live.

When commentator Zhang Weiping could no longer contain his excitement and began stumbling over his words, all fifty people jumped to their feet, cheering and hugging one another.

"I knew that Man was bound to make it!"

"That's our Man! He led China Team straight into the semifinals. What a man!"

They were all Wang Yi's classmates from high school.

Back then, during the school-organized class basketball games, most students would just wander around after stepping onto the court.

Only Wang Yi played as if his life depended on it.

He sprinted all over the court, showing up everywhere.

He was there on the fast break, and he was there to stop the other team's fast break.

He grabbed offensive rebounds and defensive rebounds.

He made steals, and he made assists.

He played so hard that his classmates gave him a nickname: Man.

A girl shook her head. "Back in school, I used to wonder why you gave Wang Yi such an awful nickname. Now I see you were absolutely right."

A chubby guy replied, "Of course. You can get someone's name wrong, but a nickname is never wrong."

Another girl spoke up boldly. "Wang Yi used to sit behind me, and he'd tug on my hair all the time. I wondered if he had a thing for me. But he always smelled like sweat, and it was so annoying. Sigh, I was too young back then. Otherwise, Nicole wouldn't have a chance with him now."

"Give me a break. How many guys did you lead on back then? Wang Yi was lucky you took it easy on him."

Everyone burst out laughing.

Meanwhile, in a hotel in Magic City, China,

Zhang Siying