Chapter 9

"What book is it?"

Wang Lei took the four books from Bill's hand and immediately his face lit up with surprise: "Awesome, Bill, where did you get these?"

Bill smiled proudly: "I have a cousin who is a student at the USC School of Cinematic Arts. These are all her textbooks. I went to USC during the summer and begged for several days before she finally lent me these four books. Remember to return them after you finish reading, and don't damage or dirty them!"

"Don't worry, I'll take good care of them." Wang Lei thanked him: "Bill, I owe you one. Next week, I'll take you to my parents' restaurant for a big meal, and I'll cook personally!"

"Ah, you cook? No need, can you even cook?" Bill feigned surprise.

"Come on, I'm Chinese, and I grew up in Chinatown. How can I not cook? My dad is counting on me to carry on the family business!" Wang Lei said, somewhat discontent.

"Alright, since you're so sincere, I'll try your cooking next week. I hope I don't get diarrhea!"

"Don't worry, not only can I cook, but I've also learned traditional Chinese medicine from my grandfather. If you really get diarrhea, I'll give you some medicine."

"..."

Wang Lei stopped joking with Bill, sat down at his desk, and eagerly opened the book in his hand.

The four books Bill borrowed from his cousin at the USC School of Cinematic Arts were: "Screenplay Writing Fundamentals" by Syd Field, "The Language of Cinema" by Marcel Martin, and two Oscar-winning screenplays by Paul Schrader, "Taxi Driver" and "Raging Bull."

Wang Lei had never given up on his Hollywood dream. After discovering he couldn't write screenplays, he asked Bill to find out which bookstore in San Francisco sold books on screenwriting or directing.

He didn't expect Bill to be so helpful, going directly to USC and borrowing these four books from his cousin.

Wang Lei was deeply moved!

With these four books, he wouldn't worry about not learning how to write screenplays.

In the future, he could practice boxing while learning to write screenplays, and then pursue both goals simultaneously—boxing and writing screenplays for Hollywood.

Who knows, maybe by the time he won the world boxing championship, the Oscar for Best Screenplay might also be within reach.

So, on the first day of school, Wang Lei spent the class secretly reading "Screenplay Writing Fundamentals" by Syd Field.

As for what the teacher was saying, Wang Lei didn't listen at all.

After school in the afternoon, Wang Lei, who had finished reading "Screenplay Writing Fundamentals," was about to run to the Sadler Boxing Gym when Bill caught up with him.

"Lei, let's go to the gym and practice basketball!"

"No, I don't have a talent for basketball. I've decided to quit the basketball club."

"Ah, don't quit. I'm still here, and I can cover for you. Being a substitute is no problem. Why are you quitting?"

"..." Wang Lei was speechless for a moment before saying: "Bill, thanks for your kindness, but I really don't want to play basketball. I found my true passion during the summer and am working hard for it."

"True passion, what is it?"

"Boxing."

"Boxing? Like Ali's boxing?"

"Exactly, my goal is to become a world champion like Ali. Now I'm going to the boxing gym to practice."

Bill was taken aback: "But you know Chinese martial arts, why do you need to practice boxing?"

Wang Lei said helplessly: "Just because I know Chinese martial arts doesn't mean I can't practice boxing. Chinese martial arts techniques don't fit the rules of boxing. To get on the ring, I have to practice boxing."

Bill asked again: "But isn't your goal to enter Hollywood and become an Oscar-winning screenwriter and director? You even asked me to get those books on screenwriting and directing."

Wang Lei said helplessly again: "These two goals don't conflict. I can practice boxing while learning to write screenplays. Once I become famous in boxing and win the world championship, it will be easier to enter Hollywood. Besides, you can't box forever; you have to retire by around 30. At that time, I'll focus on Hollywood."

Bill looked at Wang Lei for a long time before saying: "You want to be a world champion? Lei, I'm not trying to belittle you, but do you really think you can do it?"

Wang Lei chuckled: "You believe you can win an NBA championship ring, why can't I become a world champion? Bill, how about we make a bet? We'll both work hard and see who gets the NBA championship ring or the world champion belt first."

"Okay, what do we bet?"

"How about the loser agrees to one condition from the winner?"

"Deal, Lei, I'll think of a good condition because I'm going to win!" Bill clearly didn't think he would lose.

"That's not certain. Unless you join the Detroit Pistons or the Chicago Bulls, you might never win a championship ring!" Wang Lei laughed.

Bill asked curiously: "Lei, why do you always tell me to join the Detroit Pistons or the Chicago Bulls? Do you really think these teams will win championships? You can't even play basketball?"

"Being bad at basketball doesn't mean I can't watch and analyze it." Wang Lei patted Bill's shoulder and said: "Bill, trust me, the Detroit Pistons and the Chicago Bulls will dominate the late 1980s and the entire 1990s. Even if they don't win championships, they'll be regular playoff teams. If you want to win, try to join these teams. If you join the Los Angeles Lakers, you're definitely going to lose!"

With that, Wang Lei left Bill and headed to the Sadler Boxing Gym.

After practicing for about two hours at the Sadler Boxing Gym, Wang Lei went to his parents' restaurant for dinner and then to his grandfather's place.

Today, there was an unexpected guest at his grandfather's place.

An old man who looked even older than his grandfather, with white hair and a ruddy complexion, his eyes bright and spirited, like a legendary immortal with a youthful appearance and a sage-like demeanor.

The old man's surname was Chen, from Hong Kong, and he was an old friend of his grandfather from his youth, and they were sworn brothers.

Tonight, his grandfather didn't have Wang Lei practice immediately but asked him to bow to the old man and call him Grandpa Chen.

Wang Lei guessed that this Grandpa Chen was likely a martial arts master like his grandfather. He didn't dare to be disrespectful and followed his grandfather's instructions, bowing to the old man and calling him "Grandpa Chen."

"Get up, get up!" The old man laughed and asked: "Lei, I heard from your grandfather that you're practicing Western boxing?"

Wang Lei, though inwardly annoyed by the old man's way of addressing him, respectfully replied: "Yes, Grandpa Chen, I want to become a world champion and bring glory to the Chinese people!"

"Very ambitious!" The old man praised him and then said: "However, boxing, a purely external martial art, is very harmful to the body. Even if you achieve your goal and become a world champion, your body will start to deteriorate after 30, and your abilities will decline, just like Bruce Lee and Ali. It's not a path to longevity!"

"Uh, this..." Wang Lei was taken aback and replied: "There are gains and losses. Making sacrifices to achieve one's goals is inevitable. If I can achieve great success like Bruce Lee and Ali before 30, even if I become a shooting star, it will be worth it!"

Upon hearing this, his grandfather's face turned angry, and the old man shook his head and sighed: "Sacrificing your health for your ideals, it's not worth it, not worth it!"

After a pause, the old man continued: "Lei, I've been sworn brothers with your grandfather for almost 50 years, and you're like my grandson. I can't let you go down the wrong path. Here, I have a breathing technique that my master created by combining Daoist longevity practices and Tai Chi health techniques. Although it's not a martial art and doesn't enhance strength, it can strengthen your internal organs and improve your vitality and blood circulation. It can not only extend your life but also repair the hidden injuries caused by practicing external martial arts, preventing your body from deteriorating after 30..."

Before the old man finished speaking, his grandfather shouted at Wang Lei: "Haven't you thanked Grandpa Chen yet? This is a secret technique from his master, which even I had to work hard to learn!"

The old man laughed: "Work hard? You were just stubborn and wouldn't let me go, so I had to teach you. I still regret it!"

"Come on, did I not put in effort? I even taught you the secret techniques of Xingyi Quan, which almost got me expelled from my master's door!" his grandfather laughed and scolded.

Wang Lei's heart raced, wondering if the breathing technique Grandpa Chen mentioned was similar to the "Longevity Technique" in "Twin of the Tang Dynasty"?

No wonder his grandfather, who was over 70, had never been sick and had better physical strength than him. He must have practiced the "Longevity Technique"!

If it's such a technique, I must learn it!

(Unexpectedly, the book review section has gained so many positive reviews and even several readers have tipped me. I'm so excited! I didn't have much confidence in whether this book would be signed, but with so many readers supporting it, I'll work hard and speed up the updates, aiming for two updates a day. If it gets signed, I'll update even faster and promise not to abandon it. Thank you all in advance!

Additionally, my neighborhood is undergoing comprehensive maintenance for the New Year, including repairs to broken wires and pipes, which can cause power, water, and gas outages, leading to unstable updates. Please be patient, and I'll stick to two updates a day once everything is back to normal. Thank you all again!

There will be two updates today, with another one in the evening!)

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