In fact, Lance's father wasn't wrong. No matter his emotions or tone, what he said was grounded in reality—solid reasoning. Lance, as someone who came from a sports background, couldn't deny that.
The road to professional sports, which might seem glamorous on the surface, is actually full of thorns, fraught with challenges and obstacles. It takes one in a million to become a superstar. And on top of that, Lance was jumping from one sport to another, preparing to enter the professional level after less than a year of playing.
It sounded like a fantasy.
But everything was made possible because of the football training system.
Lance didn't rush or panic. He calmly met his father's gaze, using his body language to demonstrate his conviction, and patiently waited for the tension in the air to settle. He wanted to make sure it wasn't anger or emotions speaking for them.
Only then did he begin.
"I know how ridiculous this sounds."
"To be honest, at the beginning, I was just helping the coach fill in some gaps, occasionally playing as a substitute. None of us expected things to develop this way."
"I've come to genuinely love the sport."
"I think football is fascinating. Outside of my studies and daily training, I find myself training on my own, studying tactics, and watching game footage. The more I learn, the more fun it gets—it's like a whole new passion."
"And I enjoy playing. Every game makes me feel excited and alive. When I'm on the field, I thrive in that atmosphere and competition."
Lance's father wanted to interject, but before he could, Sue cut in, "Let him finish."
Lance smiled gratefully at his mother and continued.
"Not only do I enjoy it, but I'm also really good at it."
"Really. I'm doing great."
It was rare for Lance to speak so highly of himself. Then he looked at Jake.
Lance understood that relying solely on his own words wouldn't carry enough weight; he needed someone else's objective perspective.
Jake, whose mind was still foggy and who had been trying to remain invisible, suddenly became the center of attention. Lance, his father, and his mother were all looking at him.
A bit nervous, Jake swallowed but eventually gathered the courage to speak.
"It's true."
"This season, Lance has been the best running back in college football—truly outstanding. He's currently the frontrunner for the Heisman Trophy."
"Oh, and the Heisman is the highest honor in college football. It's not just for running backs—it's for the best player, and Lance is at the top of the list."
"Alabama's undefeated season? Lance is at the heart of that success."
Brief, but powerful.
Lance gave Jake a thumbs-up as thanks before turning back to his father.
"Even if you don't believe Jake, you should trust the coaches. They're the ones telling me I should go pro, and they've asked me to seek your advice."
Exhaling gently, Lance could feel the atmosphere easing slightly. While his parents hadn't been fully swayed yet, the tension had lessened. Still, they seemed confused and uncertain.
Lance thought for a moment and then decided to approach it from a different angle.
"When you first left China for New York, it was the same."
"You didn't know English, and you didn't have specialized skills. You knew nothing about New York, didn't have any clear goals or direction. You'd only heard that this place held opportunities, so you crossed the ocean to chase a better life."
"These past years, you've built everything from scratch, step by step. You've gone from having nothing to making your dream a reality, and you're still working hard for it."
"You didn't know what awaited you when you first arrived, but you still embarked on that unknown journey."
"And now, I'm doing the same."
"I have an idea, a passion, and excitement. I don't know what the future holds, and I can't guarantee success, but the world of professional sports is filled with more opportunities than I can currently see."
"I'm looking forward to it. I'm happy about it, and I'm ready for the challenges that await. I'm eager to start this new journey."
"This feeling is the same as when you first set foot in New York—not without fear or uncertainty, but filled with joy and anticipation."
As Lance spoke, it was sincere and clear.
Gradually, his parents calmed down.
This version of Lance was unfamiliar to them. The little boy they remembered had quietly grown up, and there was no longer any sense of impulsiveness or immaturity. He was rational and composed as he persuaded them, articulating his thoughts clearly and confidently.
Sue's emotions were mixed—worry, joy, pride—all swirled within her, and her eyes grew misty. She quickly turned away to compose herself.
Lance's father was taken aback, sitting in silence for a long time before finally letting out a long sigh.
"You understand what going pro means, right?"
"It's not the same as before. It will be ten times, a hundred times harder. You can't slack off or make excuses. It's a real job, and you'll face countless challenges. Once you start, you can't give up, even if all your efforts don't pay off."
"You might be a star in college, but every player in the pros is a star or a talent. Not every college star can continue to shine in the pros. Are you truly prepared for that?"
His father's voice was filled with sincerity, layered with worry, concern, and a heavy sense of reality.
Lance nodded, simple but firm.
Lance's father studied him. Even though Lance hadn't spoken further, his eyes and expression said everything, and finally, his father was convinced.
"Alright. I understand."
"I won't try to stop you, but I have one request. Give yourself another month to think about it seriously. Prove that this isn't a spur-of-the-moment decision. If, after a month, you still want to go forward, then do it."
After a pause, his father added.
"Your mom and I don't have much, but we can promise you'll always have a meal to eat."
"If becoming a pro athlete doesn't work out, come back and take over the family restaurant. You won't starve."
"You're grown up now. If you want to go out into the world, then go for it."
Simple words, no longer sharp but tinged with warmth, made Lance's nose tingle with emotion.
He thought he wouldn't care, given that this body now housed a different soul. But in this moment, he could feel the connection, the warmth in his chest swelling.
Lance didn't say much, but he nodded deeply.
Sue, who had been sitting silently the whole time, sniffled, struggling to maintain her composure. She tried to smile to comfort Lance, but when she opened her mouth, her voice trembled.
"Take care of yourself…"
She took a deep breath.
"I don't know much about being a pro athlete, but I do know you need to stay healthy. Stay away from injuries. Mom doesn't care about championships. I just want you to stay healthy. That's the most important thing…"
As she spoke, her eyes reddened again. Embarrassed, she lowered her head and rubbed her eyes with the back of her hand, trying to hide her tears.
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Powerstones?
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