Volume One: I Came, I Saw, I Conquered! Chapter 48: The Day After the Interview. "Haha, sure, Su, let me show you around campus first?" Zhang Yu said with a smile.
"Xiao Zhang, you remind me of someone."
A large cardboard box sat there, and it was extremely heavy. Su Qun eyed it curiously from beside him. "It's just some books." Zhang Yu struggled to set the box down on the floor, slit the packing tape with a knife, and began looking through its contents.
"Mr. Su, have a seat. It's a little messy in here. Sorry about that." Zhang Yu gestured toward a chair.
After the interview was published in Basketball Pioneer, it caused quite a stir. Many fans learned that a Chinese man had become the youngest head coach in NCAA history.
"Haha, sure, Su, let me show you around campus first?" Zhang Yu said with a smile.
Zhang Yu thought for a moment, then said:
A large cardboard box sat there, and it was extremely heavy. Su Qun eyed it curiously from beside him:
After changing, Zhang Yu went downstairs with Su Qun and loaded the books into the car. They were heading downtown.
As he watched Zhang Yu check the books, Su Qun caught sight of the shelves packed full of books from the corner of his eye. He suddenly spoke up:
"Mr. Su, have a seat. It's a little messy in here. Sorry about that." Zhang Yu gestured toward a chair.
Su Qun entered Zhang Yu's office and looked around with curiosity at the room of the youngest head coach in NCAA history.
On the way, they ran into quite a few Bulldogs fans who greeted Zhang Yu. Su Qun took the opportunity to interview a few students, making the article more substantial.
"Go ahead," Su Qun said quickly.
"Su, there's a really authentic American barbecue place near campus. Dinner's on me tonight. How about we go there?" Zhang Yu asked after Su Qun had gathered his things.
As he watched Zhang Yu check the books, Su Qun caught sight of the shelves packed full of books from the corner of his eye. He suddenly spoke up:
He had spent the previous night at the hotel he'd booked, then arrived on Butler University's campus that morning.
"Maybe we're both striving for the same things."
"Getting the Butler head coach job was purely a coincidence..."
Su Qun gladly accepted. With Zhang Yu showing him around, he toured the Butler campus, especially Hinkle Fieldhouse, home of the Bulldogs. They had lunch in a campus dining hall.
"Go ahead," Su Qun said quickly.
"Haha, sure, Su, let me show you around campus first?" Zhang Yu said with a smile.
"Coach Z, I've heard a lot about you. You're famous all across the country now." Su Qun shook Zhang Yu's hand and smiled.
He was almost twenty years older than Zhang Yu, so he couldn't quite bring himself to call him Coach Z.
"No, thanks. I can't handle food that's too greasy," Su Qun politely declined.
"Sounds good!" Zhang Yu readily agreed.
As he watched Zhang Yu check the books, Su Qun caught sight of the shelves packed full of books from the corner of his eye. He suddenly spoke up:
"Hey, Mr. Su, you're too kind. I still have a long way to go. Just call me Xiao Zhang." Zhang Yu was very modest.
After all, he'd done his homework before coming and read plenty of articles about Zhang Yu. His American colleagues didn't think highly of him.
That afternoon, Zhang Yu showed Su Qun around the campus, then they returned to his office.
Su Qun wasn't shy about it. Grinning, he corrected him: "Su, could you leave out my family background? My parents are ordinary people, and I don't want them to be bothered."
"Oh, I thought it was something serious. That's easy. Don't worry."
"Not yet. We should focus on business. Why don't we talk first?" Su Qun waved his hands repeatedly.
"I'm not a championship coach or a dynasty coach yet. I still have a lot to learn." Zhang Yu smiled.
He was an amateur photographer, so he could easily handle taking a few simple pictures.
"Being rich and famous but never returning home is like wearing fine clothes at night. I should thank Basketball Pioneer for giving me the chance to show my face to fans back home." Zhang Yu smiled.
"Not yet. We should focus on business. Why don't we talk first?" Su Qun waved his hands repeatedly.
"Xiao Zhang, you remind me of someone."
"Go ahead," Su Qun said quickly.
"Su, could you leave out my family background? My parents are ordinary people, and I don't want them to be bothered."
"Just a small favor..." Zhang Yu suddenly smiled awkwardly.
After the interview was published in Basketball Pioneer, it caused quite a stir. Many fans learned that a Chinese man had become the youngest head coach in NCAA history.
And Zhang Yu was nearly twenty years younger than Su Qun, so calling him Su came naturally.
"Then how about a Chinese restaurant instead? There's a place downtown run by Chinese people, and their Lu cuisine is especially authentic," Zhang Yu suggested.
That evening, Zhang Yu treated Su Qun to dinner. The next day, he drove him to the airport.
"Just a small favor..." Zhang Yu suddenly smiled awkwardly.
"I got the Butler head coach job purely by coincidence..."
He was almost twenty years older than Zhang Yu, so he couldn't quite bring himself to call him Coach Z.
Su Qun opened his bag, took out a voice recorder and a camera, and snapped a few photos of Zhang Yu.
"It's just some books." Zhang Yu struggled to set the box down on the floor, slit the packing tape with a knife, and began looking through its contents.
Su Qun watched him pick up one hefty English book after another. Their titles included things like A Detailed Guide to Basic Basketball Tactics, A New Perspective on the History and Development of the Pick-and-Roll, and Changes to NBA Rules—Their Impact on Defense...
"Xiao Zhang, what did you buy? It's so heavy."
A large cardboard box sat there, and it was extremely heavy. Su Qun eyed it curiously from beside him:
"Haha, sure, Su, let me show you around campus first?" Zhang Yu said with a smile.
As he watched Zhang Yu check the books, Su Qun caught sight of the shelves packed full of books from the corner of his eye. He suddenly spoke up:
In the United States, it was hard to get anywhere without a car. But fans back home didn't pay much attention to NCAA basketball. The NBA playoffs were about to grab everyone's attention, and only a few people remembered his name.
Zhang Yu paused, then continued taking books out of the box and said softly:
"Xiao Zhang, thanks for the interview. I'm glad I made the trip. I got a lot out of it." At the end of the interview, Su Qun stopped the recorder and spoke sincerely.
He had never been involved in China's basketball world, but he could guess that, given Chinese traditions, seniority and rank probably mattered a lot.
"Who?"
"Yao Ming. The way you look at these books is just like the way he looks when he's practicing. It's pure dedication." Su Qun said with feeling.
"Why do you still read such basic books on tactics when you're already a famous head coach?" Su Qun asked in surprise.
During the interview, Su Qun asked question after question, and Zhang Yu answered at length. He explained how he'd become Butler's head coach, his family background and upbringing, and the interesting experiences and difficulties he'd faced while coaching the Bulldogs. Su Qun couldn't help but marvel.
"Sounds good!" Zhang Yu readily agreed.
"Then let me show you around. Butler's campus is small, but it's beautiful," Zhang Yu said with a smile.
Su Qun watched him pick up one hefty English book after another. Their titles included things like A Detailed Guide to Basic Basketball Tactics, A New Perspective on the History and Development of the Pick-and-Roll, and Changes to NBA Rules—Their Impact on Defense...
He was almost twenty years older than Zhang Yu, so he couldn't quite bring himself to call him Coach Z.
He'd expected Zhang Yu to be arrogant and difficult to deal with. After all, he was so young, yet had become the head coach of an NCAA team and achieved excellent results. Su Qun had prepared himself for a frosty reception.
"I got the Butler head coach job purely by coincidence..."
"Xiao Zhang, what did you buy? It's so heavy?"
"It's just some books." Zhang Yu struggled to set the box down on the floor, slit the packing tape with a knife, and began looking through its contents.
"It's just some books." Zhang Yu struggled to set the box down on the floor, slit the packing tape with a knife, and began looking through its contents.
"Su, there's a really authentic American barbecue place near campus. Dinner's on me tonight. How about we go there?" Zhang Yu asked after Su Qun had gathered his things.
"Not yet. We should focus on business. Why don't we talk first?" Su Qun waved his hands repeatedly.
Zhang Yu thought for a moment, then said:
Su Qun gladly accepted. With Zhang Yu showing him around, he toured the Butler campus, especially Hinkle Fieldhouse, home of the Bulldogs. They had lunch in a campus dining hall.
"Hey, Mr. Su, you're too kind. I still have a long way to go. Just call me Xiao Zhang." Zhang Yu was very modest.
Su Qun gladly accepted. With Zhang Yu showing him around, he toured the Butler campus, especially Hinkle Fieldhouse, home of the Bulldogs. They had lunch in a campus dining hall.
"Sounds good!" Zhang Yu readily agreed.
"Then let me show you around. Butler's campus is small, but it's beautiful," Zhang Yu said with a smile.
He was almost twenty years older than Zhang Yu, so he couldn't quite bring himself to call him Coach Z.
A large cardboard box sat there, and it was extremely heavy. Su Qun eyed it curiously from beside him:
Su Qun watched him pick up one hefty English book after another. Their titles included things like A Detailed Guide to Basic Basketball Tactics, A New Perspective on the History and Development of the Pick-and-Roll, and Changes to NBA Rules—Their Impact on Defense...
Su Qun opened his bag, took out a voice recorder and a camera, and snapped a few photos of Zhang Yu.
That afternoon, Zhang Yu showed Su Qun around the campus, then they returned to his office.
As he watched Zhang Yu check the books, Su Qun caught sight of the shelves packed full of books from the corner of his eye. He suddenly spoke up:
"Su, could you leave out my family background? My parents are ordinary people, and I don't want them to be bothered."
"Oh, I thought it was something serious. That's easy. Don't worry."
As Su Qun watched him pick up one hefty English book after another, he asked in surprise, "Why do you still read such basic books on tactics when you're already a famous head coach?"
He had never been involved in China's basketball world, but he could guess that, given Chinese traditions, seniority and rank probably mattered a lot.
Su Qun gladly accepted. With Zhang Yu showing him around, he toured the Butler campus, especially Hinkle Fieldhouse, home of the Bulldogs. They had lunch in a campus dining hall.
After the interview was published in Basketball Pioneer, it caused quite a stir. Many fans learned that a Chinese man had become the youngest head coach in NCAA history.
"Coach Z, I've heard a lot about you. You're famous all across the country now." Su Qun shook Zhang Yu's hand and smiled.
He was an amateur photographer, so he could easily handle taking a few simple pictures.
That afternoon, Zhang Yu showed Su Qun around the campus, then they returned to his office.
He was an amateur photographer, so he could easily handle taking a few simple pictures.
As he watched Zhang Yu check the books, Su Qun caught sight of the shelves packed full of books from the corner of his eye. He suddenly spoke up:
"Su, could you leave out my family background? My parents are ordinary people, and I don't want them to be bothered."
"Oh, I thought it was something serious. That's easy. Don't worry."
In the United States, it was hard to get anywhere without a car. But fans back home didn't pay much attention to NCAA basketball. The NBA playoffs were about to grab everyone's attention, and only a few people remembered his name.
"Just a small favor..." Zhang Yu suddenly smiled awkwardly.
During the interview, Su Qun asked question after question, and Zhang Yu answered at length. He explained how he'd become Butler's head coach, his family background and upbringing, and the interesting experiences and difficulties he'd faced while coaching the Bulldogs. Su Qun couldn't help but marvel.
"Then how about a Chinese restaurant instead? There's a place downtown run by Chinese people, and their Lu cuisine is especially authentic," Zhang Yu suggested.
He was an amateur photographer, so he could easily handle taking a few simple pictures.
Su Qun gladly accepted. With Zhang Yu showing him around, he toured the Butler campus, especially Hinkle Fieldhouse, home of the Bulldogs. They had lunch in a campus dining hall.
Zhang Yu changed clothes, then went downstairs with Su Qun and loaded the books into the car. They were heading downtown.
During the interview, Su Qun asked question after question, and Zhang Yu answered at length. He explained how he'd become Butler's head coach, his family background and upbringing, and the interesting experiences and difficulties he'd faced while coaching the Bulldogs. Su Qun couldn't help but marvel.
Zhang Yu thought for a moment, then said:
After Su Qun took the photos, he set the camera aside, turned on the recorder, and placed it on the desk. The interview officially began:
Afterward, the two returned to Zhang Yu's apartment, where his Toyota was parked.
Su Qun entered Zhang Yu's office and looked around with curiosity at the room of the youngest head coach in NCAA history.
"Su, there's a really authentic American barbecue place near campus. Dinner's on me tonight. How about we go there?" Zhang Yu asked after Su Qun had gathered his things.
"Haha, sure, Su, let me show you around campus first?" Zhang Yu said with a smile.
"No, thanks. I can't handle food that's too greasy," Su Qun politely declined.
He'd expected Zhang Yu to be arrogant and difficult to deal with. After all, he was so young, yet had become the head coach of an NCAA team and achieved excellent results. Su Qun had prepared himself for a frosty reception.
"Xiao Zhang, what did you buy? It's so heavy?"
"It's just some books." Zhang Yu struggled to set the box down on the floor, slit the packing tape with a knife, and began looking through its contents.
"It's just some books." Zhang Yu struggled to set the box down on the floor, slit the packing tape with a knife, and began looking through its contents.
"Su, there's a really authentic American barbecue place near campus. Dinner's on me tonight. How about we go there?" Zhang Yu asked after Su Qun had gathered his things.
"It's just some books." Zhang Yu struggled to set the box down on the floor, slit the packing tape with a knife, and began looking through its contents.
"Maybe we're both striving for the same things."
"Haha, sure, Su, let me show you around campus first?" Zhang Yu said with a smile.
Su Qun gladly accepted. With Zhang Yu showing him around, he toured the Butler campus, especially Hinkle Fieldhouse, home of the Bulldogs. They had lunch in a campus dining hall.
That afternoon, Zhang Yu showed Su Qun around the campus, then they returned to his office.
As he watched Zhang Yu check the books, Su Qun caught sight of the shelves packed full of books from the corner of his eye. He suddenly spoke up:
Zhang Yu thought for a moment, then said:
After Su Qun took the photos, he set the camera aside, turned on the recorder, and placed it on the desk. The interview officially began:
Afterward, the two returned to Zhang Yu's apartment, where his Toyota was parked.
Su Qun entered Zhang Yu's office and looked around with curiosity at the room of the youngest head coach in NCAA history.
"Su, there's a really authentic American barbecue place near campus. Dinner's on me tonight. How about we go there?" Zhang Yu asked after Su Qun had gathered his things.
"Haha, sure, Su, let me show you around campus first?" Zhang Yu said with a smile.
"No, thanks. I can't handle food that's too greasy," Su Qun politely declined.
"Just a small favor..." Zhang Yu suddenly smiled awkwardly.
"It's just some books." Zhang Yu struggled to set the box down on the floor, slit the packing tape with a knife, and began looking through its contents.
Su Qun gladly accepted. With Zhang Yu showing him around, he toured the Butler campus, especially Hinkle Fieldhouse, home of the Bulldogs. They had lunch in a campus dining hall.
"Coach Z, I've heard a lot about you. You're famous all across the country now." Su Qun shook Zhang Yu's hand and smiled.
He was an amateur photographer, so he could easily handle taking a few simple pictures.
"Xiao Zhang, you bought my interview a great favor. This trip was worth it—I got a lot out of it." At the end of the interview, Su Qun stopped the recorder and spoke sincerely.
That evening, Zhang Yu treated Su Qun to dinner. The next day, he drove him to the airport.
"It's just some books." Zhang Yu struggled to set the box down on the floor, slit the packing tape with a knife, and began looking through its contents.
Su Qun watched him pick up one hefty English book after another. Their titles included things like A Detailed Guide to Basic Basketball Tactics, A New Perspective on the History and Development of the Pick-and-Roll, and Changes to NBA Rules—Their Impact on Defense...
"It's just some books." Zhang Yu struggled to set the box down on the floor, slit the packing tape with a knife, and began looking through its contents.
"Haha, thanks for making time for the interview despite your busy schedule..." Su Qun smiled and nodded, admiring Zhang Yu even more.
He had never been involved in China's basketball world, but he could guess that, given Chinese traditions, seniority and rank probably mattered a lot.
"Xiao Zhang, thanks for the interview. I'm glad I made the trip. I got a lot out of it." At the end of the interview, Su Qun stopped the recorder and spoke sincerely.
That was a secondhand Toyota Zhang Yu's predecessor had bought after coming to the United States. It was looking a little battered, but it was sturdy and reliable. Zhang Yu hadn't replaced it and had kept using it.
Zhang Yu paused, then continued taking books out of the box and said softly:
On the way, they ran into quite a few Bulldogs fans who greeted Zhang Yu. Su Qun took the opportunity to interview a few students, making the article more substantial.
"Then let me show you around. Butler's campus is small, but it's beautiful," Zhang Yu said with a smile.
He'd expected Zhang Yu to be arrogant and difficult to deal with. After all, he was so young, yet had become the head coach of an NCAA team and achieved excellent results. Su Qun had prepared himself for a frosty reception.
"Hey, Mr. Su, you're too kind. I still have a long way to go. Just call me Xiao Zhang." Zhang Yu was very modest.
After Su Qun took the photos, he set the camera aside, turned on the recorder, and placed it on the desk. The interview officially began:
After all, he'd done his homework before coming and read plenty of articles about Zhang Yu. His American colleagues didn't think highly of him.
Su Qun decided to return the favor. He would polish the article carefully and give Zhang Yu a positive image in the report.
That was a secondhand Toyota Zhang Yu's predecessor had bought after coming to the United States. It was looking a little battered, but it was sturdy and reliable. Zhang Yu hadn't replaced it and had kept using it.
"Hey, Mr. Su, you're too kind. I still have a long way to go. Just call me Xiao Zhang." Zhang Yu was very modest.
Afterward, the two returned to Zhang Yu's apartment, where his Toyota was parked.
"Hey, Mr. Su, you're too kind. I still have a long way to go. Just call me Xiao Zhang." Zhang Yu was very modest.
He was almost twenty years older than Zhang Yu, so he couldn't quite bring himself to call him Coach Z.
But Zhang Yu's humble, easygoing attitude during the interview had surprised him.
He hadn't expected the story of how Zhang Yu became Butler's head coach to be so dramatic. Zhang Yu also had many original perspectives on the NCAA, from a head coach's point of view, which would help Basketball Pioneer promote college basketball among fans.
Afterward, the two returned to Zhang Yu's apartment, where his Toyota was parked.
He had spent the previous night at the hotel he'd booked, then arrived on Butler University's campus that morning.
No wonder the young man had made such a name for himself alone in a foreign country. He was truly impressive.
After all, he'd done his homework before coming and read plenty of articles about Zhang Yu. His American colleagues didn't think highly of him.
He'd expected Zhang Yu to be arrogant and difficult to deal with. After all, he was so young, yet had become the head coach of an NCAA team and achieved excellent results. Su Qun had prepared himself for a frosty reception.
On the way, they ran into quite a few Bulldogs fans who greeted Zhang Yu. Su Qun took the opportunity to interview a few students, making the article more substantial.
That evening, Zhang Yu treated Su Qun to dinner. The next day, he drove him to the airport.
"Sounds good, Xiao Zhang. But don't keep calling me 'teacher.' I'm a few years older than you—just call me Su."
A large cardboard box sat there, and it was extremely heavy. Su Qun eyed it curiously from beside him:
As he watched Zhang Yu check the books, Su Qun caught sight of the shelves packed full of books from the corner of his eye. He suddenly spoke up:
Su Qun decided to return the favor. He would polish the article carefully and give Zhang Yu a positive image in the report.
He had spent the previous night at the hotel he'd booked, then arrived on Butler University's campus that morning.
That was a secondhand Toyota Zhang Yu's predecessor had bought after coming to the United States. It was looking a little battered, but it was sturdy and reliable. Zhang Yu hadn't replaced it and had kept using it.
"Then let me show you around. Butler's campus is small, but it's beautiful," Zhang Yu said with a smile.
Su Qun entered Zhang Yu's office and looked around with curiosity at the room of the youngest head coach in NCAA history.
"Xiao Zhang, you remind me of someone."
Su Qun gladly accepted. With Zhang Yu showing him around, he toured the Butler campus, especially Hinkle Fieldhouse, home of the Bulldogs. They had lunch in a campus dining hall.
"Su, could you leave out my family background? My parents are ordinary people, and I don't want them to be bothered."
"Oh, I thought it was something serious. That's easy. Don't worry."
In the United States, it was hard to get anywhere without a car. But fans back home didn't pay much attention to NCAA basketball. The NBA playoffs were about to grab everyone's attention, and only a few people remembered his name.
"Just a small favor..." Zhang Yu suddenly smiled awkwardly.
During the interview, Su Qun asked question after question, and Zhang Yu answered at length. He explained how he'd become Butler's head coach, his family background and upbringing, and the interesting experiences and difficulties he'd faced while coaching the Bulldogs. Su Qun couldn't help but marvel.
"Then how about a Chinese restaurant instead? There's a place downtown run by Chinese people, and their Lu cuisine is especially authentic," Zhang Yu suggested.
Even though Su Qun wasn't a professional athlete, his position as editor-in-chief of Basketball Pioneer meant he was undoubtedly influential. Though the remark might have sounded presumptuous, Zhang Yu was really showing him goodwill.
"Then how about a Chinese restaurant instead? There's a place downtown run by Chinese people, and their Lu cuisine is especially authentic," Zhang Yu suggested.
Su Qun decided to return the favor. He would polish the article carefully and give Zhang Yu a positive image in the report.
"I got the Butler head coach job purely by coincidence..."
He was almost twenty years older than Zhang Yu, so he couldn't quite bring himself to call him Coach Z.
"Then how about a Chinese restaurant instead? There's a place downtown run by Chinese people, and their Lu cuisine is especially authentic," Zhang Yu suggested.
Even though Su Qun wasn't a professional athlete, his position as editor-in-chief of Basketball Pioneer meant he was undoubtedly influential. Though the remark might have sounded presumptuous, Zhang Yu was really showing him goodwill.
"It's just some books." Zhang Yu struggled to set the box down on the floor, slit the packing tape with a knife, and began looking through its contents.
Su Qun watched him pick up one hefty English book after another. Their titles included things like A Detailed Guide to Basic Basketball Tactics, A New Perspective on the History and Development of the Pick-and-Roll, and Changes to NBA Rules—Their Impact on Defense...
"Why do you still read such basic books on tactics when you're already a famous head coach?" Su Qun asked in surprise.
"Go ahead," Su Qun said quickly.
Su Qun watched him pick up one hefty English book after another. Their titles included things like A Detailed Guide to Basic Basketball Tactics, A New Perspective on the History and Development of the Pick-and-Roll, and Changes to NBA Rules—Their Impact on Defense...
"I got the Butler head coach job purely by coincidence..."
That afternoon, Zhang Yu showed Su Qun around the campus, then they returned to his office.
Zhang Yu thought for a moment, then said:
After Su Qun took the photos, he set the camera aside, turned on the recorder, and placed it on the desk. The interview officially began:
Afterward, the two returned to Zhang Yu's apartment, where his Toyota was parked.
Su Qun entered Zhang Yu's office and looked around with curiosity at the room of the youngest head coach in NCAA history.
"Su, there's a really authentic American barbecue place near campus. Dinner's on me tonight. How about we go there?" Zhang Yu asked after Su Qun had gathered his things.
"Haha, sure, Su, let me show you around campus first?" Zhang Yu said with a smile.
"No, thanks. I can't handle food that's too greasy," Su Qun politely declined.
"Just a small favor..." Zhang Yu suddenly smiled awkwardly.
"It's just some books." Zhang Yu struggled to set the box down on the floor, slit the packing tape with a knife, and began looking through its contents.
Su Qun gladly accepted. With Zhang Yu showing him around, he toured the Butler campus, especially Hinkle Fieldhouse, home of the Bulldogs. They had lunch in a campus dining hall.
"Coach Z, I've heard a lot about you. You're famous all across the country now." Su Qun shook Zhang Yu's hand and smiled.
He was an amateur photographer, so he could easily handle taking a few simple pictures.
"Xiao Zhang, thanks for the interview. I'm glad I made the trip. I got a lot out of it." At the end of the interview, Su Qun stopped the recorder and spoke sincerely.
That evening, Zhang Yu treated Su Qun to dinner. The next day, he drove him to the airport.
"Sounds good, Xiao Zhang. But don't keep calling me 'teacher.' I'm a few years older than you—just call me Su."
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