The interview is over.
Brian began to pack up his equipment, including voice recorders, cameras, notebooks, etc., and prepared to leave.
Today's interview went very smoothly, even smoother than expected. Brian was deeply impressed by Lu Ke's eloquence and humor——
He is not a quarterback who is decisive and decisive on the field, nor is he the hero who completes the comeback when his life is hanging by a thread, nor is he an athlete who fights back hard when faced with doubts, but a rookie player who has just graduated from college and has just entered the league. , with the vigor and vitality of young people, as well as the youthfulness and longing of newcomers to society.
If it weren't for the exclusive interview opportunity, Brian wouldn't have known that the most precious part of Lu Ke's childhood memories was a Nintendo Famicom that followed him across the ocean to San Francisco when he immigrated.
In fact, Lu Ke was born in 1989. For such an age, the Famicom is gradually becoming outdated, and children have more game choices; while the Famicom is more of a product of Brian and the generation after Brian. childhood memory. Such an unexpected coincidence was an eye-opener for Brian. The two of them even played a game of Super Mario, a game of Tank Battle, and a game of Contra.
Those games that have almost disappeared from memory are the greatest joy in Lu Ke's boring training life; at the same time, they also accompany Lu Ke through the days when he misses his hometown. To this day, the old set of red and white consoles are still extremely well protected, and at the same time, Lu Ke still collects various game cards.
"I collect them." Lu Ke said, with a bright smile on his face. "I often search online and then auction them to collect more games. If I encounter a rare collector's edition game, this is a good thing for me. Not good news, all my pocket money was spent on it. Did you know I once delivered newspapers and milk for three months just to buy a game card, and helped Mr. Robinson mow his garden around the corner for a month? .”
When he recalled those years again, Lu Ke's eyes sparkled with moving light. This is the most real him.
Involuntarily, Brian became extremely curious, "Can I take a look at your collection?"
"Next time. All collections are only open to true friends." Lu Ke politely refused, but the subtext was: We are not friends. This hint of teasing, with a touch of slyness and edge, succeeded in making Brian laugh.
A private interview, full of surprises and fun. Brian really started to like Lu Ke.
There was a pause in packing the props, and Brian raised his head and looked at Lu Ke, "In the beginning, I mean, when you first arrived in San Francisco, why did you choose football? Is it really because of your dream?"
dream.
This is an answer full of vigor and vitality, which always makes people excited, especially now that Lu Ke has realized his dream and truly become the first Chinese player in the league to step on the court, which is even more legendary. As a report, it's definitely a good story.
"No, it's not." Lu Ke replied matter-of-factly, which made Brian stunned. Then he saw Lu Ke said lightly, "Honestly, at the beginning, it was just to integrate into the local life. Language learning It requires a process to integrate with the culture, but sports are simpler and more direct, and everything is completed on the court. Therefore, I joined the rugby team, hoping to quickly adapt to life here."
Lu Ke has never been one to sit back and wait for death. It was true before and it is true now. Therefore, during the competition, Lu Ke will never give up easily. This kind of mental outlook and competition temperament can be seen in his childhood.
"But...why football?" Brian didn't expect Lu Ke's answer at all, and his smooth language stumbled.
"Basketball was my first choice, but the school I transferred to didn't have basketball." Lu Ke told the truth.
Brian opened his mouth in surprise, "Is this all?"
"That's all." Lu Ke answered affirmatively.
After looking at each other, Brian came to his senses, feeling ridiculous and funny at the same time, and then burst out laughing. If you think about it carefully, it is natural.
Lu Ke is Chinese, and the spread and popularity of rugby in China is seriously lagging behind. Even now in 2011, the market has not yet opened up; let alone the distant past, when Lu Ke immigrated to the United States, he saw it for the first time. Rugby is probably full of question marks, and it is impossible to understand how this oval-shaped thing is played.
Under such a background, what dreams are there?
The real dream is not the seed that germinates at first; it gradually takes root and sprouts in the process of participating, participating in the competition, and growing vigorously, and finally becomes a big tree in the sky. This is how Lu Ke becomes today and creates the history of the alliance.
"So, if you had to choose again now, would you still choose football? Or...basketball?" Brian asked curiously, with excitement in his eyes.
Lu Ke shrugged, "Today? Today, I will still choose rugby. However, if I lose the next game, I may change my answer." The humorous ridicule made Brian laugh out loud again and nodded repeatedly. , expressed agreement.
After everything was packed, Brian stood up and went to the backyard to say goodbye to Lu Zhengze and Jiang Youning; then he left the house under the escort of Lu Ke.
Standing in the porch, Brian gestured, "I know you still have training today, so I won't disturb you."
This is what Jiang Youning revealed. As an undrafted rookie, even without the title of "Chinese", Lu Ke still needs to put in more effort. Every day, Lu Ke's training never stops, and official rest days are no exception. At this point, Brian was deeply amazed and had already made a decision in his heart to go to UCLA for a real in-depth interview.
"On Wednesday, when the team resumes training, will you go to the training base?" Brian confirmed and got a positive answer, "Then then, I will go directly to the training base and take some photos that can be used. When the time comes, I will contact your press liaison department."
"No problem. See you on Wednesday." Lu Ke nodded and smiled.
Brian walked quickly down the stairs, turned around and waved goodbye. The bright and bright sunshine penetrated the treetops and fell down, outlining the outline of Lu Ke's figure. He still looked a little thin, and his weight needed to continue to increase; his explosive power and muscular endurance talents were difficult to compare with black people. have the upper hand, but it is this seemingly ordinary Chinese-American quarterback who is making history.
"Bambi." Brian stood on the side of the street and said loudly. Compared to Lu Ke, the nickname "Bambi" always added a touch of intimacy. "There are so many top quarterbacks in the league, which one do you want to be?"
Lu Ke was stunned for a moment, then laughed, "I guess today's interview won't be over, right?" Another joke made Brian laugh, but he didn't look away, still He cast a watching gaze.
To be honest, Lu Ke had never thought about this problem. In college, he was not qualified to think; in the league, he had no room to think. But now, after two victories and at the beginning of his career, Lu Ke began to think about this issue for the first time.
"I must admit that Peyton Manning is the player I admire most. There is no doubt that he is my role model." Lu Ke said calmly, paused for a moment, and then changed the subject, "But, I hope everyone wants to be a player like me."
The strong confidence and ambitious goals revealed in the understatement were completely beyond Brian's expectations. Today, this situation seems to have happened so many times that the surprise only surged for a moment, and then became natural.
Brian frowned and joked, "Are you sure you are a Chinese immigrant?"
Generally speaking, Asian culture advocates humility and low-key; in people's stereotypes, Asian immigrants often lack self-confidence. Even if they are praised, they cannot stand up and accept it calmly, let alone have a flamboyant personality and full of confidence. full. But obviously, Lu Ke is an outlier, not only confident, but even a little crazy.
However, looking back, Lu Ke would not have been able to survive on the rugby field if he was not an outlier.
Lu Ke ignored it and waved his right hand, "Goodbye! The interview is over! Today's conversation ends here, there are no additional questions! If you are still curious, you can either go to the media day or make a new appointment!" After that, Lu Ke Ke showed an obvious fake smile, turned around, returned to the house, and closed the door neatly.
Brian burst into laughter.
Everyone aspires to be a player like Lu Ke? This is a great and arrogant goal, even an unrealistic goal and crazy.
However, being the first Asian player in the league is also unrealistic, but Lu Ke successfully achieved it, and the work was done so beautifully; so... what else is impossible?
For the first time, Brian began to look forward to it. Not only the future of the San Francisco 49ers, but also the future of Lu Ke. This long road has finally set sail. So, what kind of scenery will it be like at the end?
Just imagining it in his mind made Brian a little excited.
History is being written, and he is not only a witness, but also a participant. Ten years from now, or thirty years from now, can he write an autobiography titled "Brian Westbrook: Witness and Participant of NFL League Records—The League's No. 1 Quarterback" "The Legend of Lu Ke"? Thinking of this, I couldn't help but start to get excited.
Then, Brian walked towards his car with brisk steps, and even hummed an unknown tune, feeling bright. This time, I really walked away without hesitation or pause, ended today’s exclusive interview, and came back satisfied.
