The office fell silent for a moment, then someone laughed. "Whatever happens, this is one NBA Finals series we have to watch."
Chaoyang District, Beijing, China.
In the window of a sporting goods store, the newest colorway of the Li Fei I occupied the most prominent spot.
The electric-blue uppers gleamed under the lights, and Li Fei's personal logo on the tongue looked like a medal.
Beside them stood an enormous poster—a shot of Li Fei dunking in the Eastern Conference Finals, his body stretched out in midair, his right hand raised high, the basketball spinning at his fingertips. A line at the bottom read: "The three-peat happens this year."
There were few customers in the store, but everyone who came in paused in front of the poster.
A boy in a school uniform stood before it, gazing up for a long time.
His uniform was a little worn, and his backpack straps had slipped down to his elbows, but he did not pull them up.
His eyes shone.
The clerk leaned out from behind the counter. "Looking to buy shoes, young man?"
The boy shook his head. "I can't afford them. I just wanted to look." He paused. "I pass this place on my way to school every morning, and I always stop to take a look. Just one look, and I feel ready for the day."
The clerk smiled. "Then look a little longer. It's free."
The boy smiled too, but he did not linger. He tugged his backpack straps up and turned toward the door. At the entrance, he glanced back at the poster once more. Li Fei was still in the air. He had yet to land.
"A three-peat," he murmured, then pushed the door open and stepped into the Beijing morning light.
Toyota Sports