1994: I Became a Literary Master in America

Chapter 56 Sports Saturday

Saturday, April 6.

Today is undoubtedly a very important day for Wang Dajun.

Today, Argentina plays their third group stage match against Bulgaria.

Early in the morning, he got up, took the subway alone to Canal Street, and then ran in to burn incense and pray while the temple was open.

Cramming at the last minute!

After leaving the temple, Wang Dajun felt completely different.

He spent $100 to draw a very auspicious fortune stick, which said it would grant him all his wishes and make everything go smoothly.

Mahayana Temple is one of the most prestigious Buddhist temples in New York City. It was founded in 1970 and is located on Mott Street. It is very famous in Chinatown.

Only the Solemn Abbey in Carmel, New York, can compare to it.

However, it's too far!

Moreover, Mahayana Temple has a longer history and is more popular with worshippers.

It is said that the abbot here was sent by the San Francisco Buddhist Association and has great merit and power.

Bulgaria performed well in this World Cup, but there is still a big gap compared to Argentina's rich history and experience.

Do you know any Bulgarian football stars?

There's probably only one Stoichkov.

But Argentina has a wealth of talent.

Even without the King of Polo, there's still the Son of the Wind, Redondo, Batistuta, and the Little Donkey!

Each one you pick out is a famous name, currently enjoying great popularity.

Wang Dajun kept reassuring himself that, to celebrate his victory, he would treat himself to a dish of garlic and salt-and-pepper ribs at HopKee, the most famous Chinese restaurant on Motte Street, which was said to be the restaurant's signature dish.

The taste was just so-so.

In Wang Dajun's opinion, none of the Chinese restaurants in Chinatown could compare to a small Japanese restaurant in Little Tokyo in the East Village.

"Your Majesty, why are you in such high spirits to have a feast?"

"Oh, Mr. Zhang, you're dining here too."

Upon seeing the newcomer, Wang Dajun quickly stood up.

"Haha, I often eat here. The owner of HopKee is also an old friend of mine."

After saying that, he sat down and called out to the waiter, "This table is on me."

"I can't accept that, I should be treating you."

"Ha, it doesn't matter who invites you... Come on, sit down."

The man was around sixty years old and wore a pair of brown-tinted glasses.

He wasn't tall, but he looked quite sturdy. He wore khaki shorts, a red short-sleeved shirt, a headscarf, and a cowboy hat. On his feet were Nike sneakers, giving him a rather fashionable look.

"How have you been lately? Has that thug been giving you any more trouble?"

"No, with you personally intervening, how could he dare not give you face?"

"Hey, I, Zhang Beihai, don't have that much influence. It's all thanks to my teacher's connections."

That thug's master owed my teacher a favor, so he was very generous. But I have to remind you, that kid used to be in the Ghost Shadow Gang... You weren't in New York during the Ghost Shadow Gang's heyday, so you don't know the ins and outs of it.

Those people are all arrogant and domineering.

That thug's father, Xu Jiadong, single-handedly took down the leader of BTK's Vietnamese gang after Dennis was arrested; he's a ruthless man. So, that kid holds a high position in the Ghost Shadow Gang. Although Dennis has kicked him out of the gang, his connections remain. He has a group of ruthless underlings and Master Wu's protection.

This time, Master Wu stepped in and made that kid stop.

But if you provoke him again, I doubt my old face will be of much use.

Wang Dajun fell silent!

A moment later, he smiled and said, "Mr. Zhang, don't worry, I'm not that impulsive."

Last time I was a bit... never mind, I won't talk about it. Anyway, I've already graduated this year, and I'll be going back to China in a while.

"Going back to China? What are you planning to do there?"

"As you know, my family has some connections back in China."

Two years ago, a friend of mine filmed a TV series here called "A Native of Beijing in New York," which aired nationwide last year and did very well. I'm planning to go back and pursue a career in film and television... Of course, I'll start by filming some light novels. I have some connections, and friends in Beijing are willing to help. I'll accumulate some experience first, and then build a bigger and stronger business."

"It's good to grow bigger and stronger!"

Zhang Beihai was very satisfied with Wang Dajun.

"If we can really do this, we can film more stories about our ancestors, which the people will love to watch."

"By the way, do you have enough money?"

"It's hard to say right now."

I stayed because I wanted to try my luck during this World Cup and see if I could make some unexpected money. You're a long-time New Yorker too. The cost of living here is high. Over the years, I've saved up some money through odd jobs, but not much.

If I'm lucky, I might be able to make back the money I invested in starting the business.

"The World Cup, spinach is a good thing, but we must be careful."

As our ancestors said, a little gambling is harmless, but excessive gambling is harmful... Your Majesty, if you are truly in trouble, just say so.

We've been seeing each other for a few years now. I can easily afford to give away tens or hundreds of thousands of yuan. Personally, I have a very positive outlook on mainland China.

That's right, Zhang Beihai is from Taiwan.

Yes, I was born in Beijing, but my ancestral home is Wutai. Around 49, I went to Taiwan.

She settled in New York in the 1970s and has since obtained U.S. citizenship, while also holding citizenship in Taiwan, China.

He was highly respected among the Chinese community in New York.

Having worked as a translator at the United Nations, that's pretty prestigious.

Wang Dajun hurriedly said, "Then thank you in advance. If I need anything, I will definitely ask and won't hesitate to ask."

"Disha is having a party tonight, so we can all get together to watch the game."

I also invited Mr. Mu to join us, so we can all have a good time and a couple of drinks... and also, as a way of saying goodbye to you.

"Okay, I'll definitely go."

Wang Dajun quickly expressed his gratitude.

Just then, the food arrived.

The hotel's television was playing a program called Sports Saturday.

This is a program that CBS launched specifically after the start of the World Cup, and it will be renamed Eye on Sports as a long-term program in the future.

A sports column used during the World Cup to provide in-depth coverage of the excitement the World Cup brought to American soccer.

At this point, the conversation between the host and the guest had ended.

Host Michelle Tafua smiled and said, "Next up is this week's 'Football Takes Flight in America,' a segment that documents and observes the impact and changes football has brought to the United States. This week, we've selected ten moments, all captured on the streets. Let's enjoy them together."

The first shot is from Chicago.

A group of young Black boys run through the streets, chasing after a soccer ball.

It's important to know that soccer isn't a popular sport in the United States, and frankly, CBS went to great lengths to gather this material.

The second shot is from a beach in Miami.

A group of men and women of different skin colors are playing football on the beach.

"It has to be America. Look, Black people, White people, and Asian people can play together so harmoniously, so inclusive and free... Hahaha, if I weren't going back to China to start a business, I really wouldn't want to leave here. Even the air smells sweet."

"When we have money, we'll buy property here!"

While eating, Zhang Beihai occasionally glanced at the television screen and said to Wang Dajun.

"This is a country where rich people can live very comfortably."

With enough money, you can enjoy privileges you can't get in China. If you want to buy property in New York, buy a house there; if you like the West Coast, go to Los Angeles or San Francisco and buy a big villa—the kind with a swimming pool.

If you're worried about trouble back home, no problem. Just gather some veteran artists and sing revolutionary songs in a big house. That's called cultural confidence, cultural export! My lord, keep up the good work! Become rich, and you'll find unimaginable happiness.

Zhang Beihai's words deeply moved Wang Dajun.

He laughed and said, "Don't worry, Elder Zhang, I can definitely do it."

Suddenly, his gaze froze!

A familiar figure appears in the picture.

Xu Shengjie straddled him and roared at the disheveled Wang Dajun, "You bitch!"

Holy crap...

Wang Dajun's face turned black.

He remembered that there were indeed reporters interviewing people on the sidelines when he played football that day.

"The Kung Fu Kid's Roar!"

Michelle laughed with the guests, "I captured this footage by chance at the Chinatown stadium. At the time, I didn't even know that this guy had beaten Vernon up at Madison Square Garden that night. If I had known, I would have interviewed him directly."

"Haha, I remember now, that kid really stole the show at Madison Square Garden that day."

"Next up is the second-to-last exciting moment."

At a game in the Rose Bowl, fans smeared their faces with the colors of the national flag and wept bitterly.

"Finally, here's my favorite scene, which still comes from our kung fu kid."

On TV, Xu Shengjie kicked Zitala away, then drew a line on the ground like a ferocious demon.

"Dare to cross this line, and I'll break your legs!"

……