After arriving at McGrady's house, Su Feng met the two most important women in McGrady's life—his mother, Melanise, and his grandmother, Roberta.
To be precise, this was actually his grandmother's house.
After McGrady's biological father abandoned the family, Melanise took Maddie to live with Roberta.
Since then, McGrady began calling his grandmother "Mom."
"I'm sorry, I didn't know you were coming, so I haven't prepared anything to drink," Melanise said, looking at Su Feng and his companions.
In front of his mother, McGrady was on his best behavior, sitting obediently on a short wooden bench, legs tucked awkwardly beneath him.
For a man with legs as long as McGrady's, that position could only be described as uncomfortable.
Yet McGrady didn't complain—he wore a cheerful expression the whole time.
After a short chat and confirming the address, Su Feng turned to Tracy McGrady's mother and grandmother and got straight to the point:
"I'll be brief. This summer, I hope Tracy can come to Orlando for a specialized training program with me. All three trainers are professionals in basketball development."
"Go to Orlando for special training?" Melanise and Roberta seemed surprised.
"Yes, ladies. Tracy has exceptional talent. Frankly, I believe he has outgrown Auburndale High School.
Here's my business card—I'm a certified basketball fitness trainer.
I know many top-tier high school coaches and have worked with several renowned basketball programs.
With proper coaching, Tracy is certain to play in the NBA one day."
As Su Feng's top advisor, Mancias pulled out his certifications and business cards, presenting them to Melanise and Roberta.
Su Feng glanced proudly at his protégé. If his thoughts had a voice, they'd probably sound something like: "This is what my pupil's room should look like!"
Melanise and Roberta exchanged glances.
They'd seen their fair share of smooth talkers—but could someone this professional really be a fraud?
"Sue is Kobe's friend. He's a basketball player too," McGrady added, standing up after sitting for a while.
"We absolutely support Tracy's love for basketball," Melanise responded hesitantly, "but… can he really make it to the NBA?"
Mancias smiled warmly. "Dear lady, I don't think you realize how much potential your son has. Believe me—he's going to the NBA."
Su Feng, on the sidelines, nearly told her outright: the son you brought into the world wasn't just going to play in the NBA—he'd be Hall of Fame-bound.
So, with careful persuasion from Mancias, Melanise and Roberta eventually agreed to let Tracy go to Orlando with Su Feng.
After all, Orlando wasn't far from Auburndale.
"Are you leaving already?" Melanise asked as they prepared to depart, still reluctant to see McGrady go.
In a free, democratic, peace-loving America, one figure stands tall—the noble single mother.
Before they left, Melanise quietly pulled Tracy aside and pressed a crumpled bill into his hand.
Watching this, Su Feng couldn't help but sigh.
In his past life—as an orphan—scenes like this hit differently.
Hard to put into words.
Of the "four quarterbacks," Kobe and Carter were undeniably privileged.
Compared to Iverson, Maddie was lucky too.
Su Feng recalled that Iverson once said in an interview that he played desperately because as a child, winning a game meant the coach would treat him to dinner.
And that "big meal" Iverson spoke of?
Just two beef burgers and some sausages.
Kobe Bryant also had his memorable sayings—ones Su Feng would never forget.
Back to the story...
Thanks to Mancias's help, they successfully convinced Tracy's mother and grandmother, and Su Feng had a new partner in his corner.
On the way back to Orlando, Su Feng couldn't help smiling at the new asset he had gained.
Watch out, Kobe—once I finish this transformation, you'll see what I'm capable of.
...
Auburndale is only tens of kilometers from Orlando, so after arriving there, Su Feng took McGrady to the same restaurant where Kobe had treated him to a big meal last time.
To McGrady, Orlando wasn't unfamiliar. His decision to pursue basketball was largely inspired by the "slim silhouette" of the Orlando Magic.
Yes, that's right—Tracy McGrady's idol was also Anfernee Hardaway.
But unlike Kobe's tragic idol chase, which ended in rejection, McGrady's star-struck journey was more grounded—limited by poverty, yet closer to home.
Su Feng knew that McGrady was now a "copy ninja," with many of his dribbling moves borrowed straight from Hardaway.
So…
Watching someone with such natural flair sharpen his skills through practice—it was almost unfair, Su Feng thought.
While eating, Su Feng noticed McGrady carefully sorting through the wad of cash his mother had given him.
"Tracy, believe me: if you can beat me a few more times this summer, your mother and grandmother will live a much better life."
Su Feng felt no shame—he was paying to get beat. Who came up with this arrangement?
"As you said, if I win one-on-one, you're giving me $100. You're seriously not kidding?"
At that moment, Su Feng felt like McGrady's usually sleepy eyes were now three-quarters open.
Afraid McGrady might fully awaken and take over the world, Su Feng quickly nodded in agreement.
"When do we start?" McGrady asked, eager.
"Tomorrow, four in the morning," Su Feng replied.
"Four a.m.? No problem!"
McGrady was full of energy—though whether he'd regret that commitment soon was another story.
Su Feng knew McGrady's persistence wouldn't be held back for long, even despite his congenital scoliosis.
That's why Su Feng planned to extract a steady flow of "iron points" from McGrady each day during this Orlando training camp.
He had also brought half a year's worth of nutrient solution to Orlando.
Yet, just after dinner, when Su Feng was about to secretly add some nutrients to Maddie's regimen, he was startled by a system warning:
"Host's current affinity level with McGrady is insufficient to share nutrient solution. Effect denied."
"!!!"
What the…
Su Feng was stunned.
Hadn't this never happened with Kobe before?
"Looks like even the system agrees—I'm the purest form of honey!" Su Feng reflected wryly.
After confirming his true 'Komi' identity, Su Feng accepted that he couldn't share nutrients with McGrady just yet—so he'd have to treat his new talent investment with proper scientific care.
Just as with his own training journey, Su Feng now had to raise "Wheat" the scientific way.
...
The next day, at four in the morning.
When McGrady arrived at the training hall, still sleepy, Su Feng was already in the middle of his shooting drills.
"Do you and Kobe play one-on-one every day?" McGrady asked, intrigued.
Su Feng nodded. "Every day, except on game days."
"Then… if I beat you, I don't want the $100."
Although Tracy McGrady was in dire need of money, he believed it would be unfair to take it from a friend of a friend—especially someone close to Kobe.
Upon arriving in Orlando, McGrady was stunned by the training facility Su Feng had rented.
With three professional trainers, he felt that even average NBA players wouldn't get access to such high-level training during the offseason.
Actually, McGrady was overestimating—because it wasn't just average players. Many NBA stars earned salaries in the low millions, and after taxes, the remainder wasn't extravagant. The average player's capabilities back then couldn't compare to future generations, largely due to limited access to advanced training systems. Eventually, even bench players would have personal training teams.
Su Feng knew that bringing up money again might make McGrady feel inferior.
So he simply nodded and tossed the ball to McGrady, ready to start that day's iron-sharpening battle.
From yesterday's scrimmage, Su Feng realized it was best to let McGrady shoot in their one-on-one matchups.
McGrady's jump shot was still inconsistent, but his speed was lightning quick.
Technically, he wasn't quite on Kobe's level yet—he was still a year younger than both Kobe and Su Feng.
This was reflected in the system's "iron value" calculations. Every missed shot by McGrady earned Su Feng 1,000 iron points—the same amount he used to earn from Kobe in earlier battles.
However, in Su Feng's last duel with Kobe, that value had increased to 1,500 points per missed shot.
On offense, McGrady's most dangerous weapon was his explosive first step.
But by using a step-back defensive strategy—and relying on the daily trauma from being torched by Kobe—Su Feng managed to hold his own against McGrady.
Still, there was something else…
In the NBA, McGrady began as a defensive specialist. Among the "four shooting guards," both Kobe and McGrady were known for their defense.
Su Feng remembered that, in a past life, Van Gundy—ever the clever bald coach—once tasked McGrady with guarding Nowitzki in a playoff series against Dallas… and surprisingly, it worked well.
McGrady's combination of height, reach, and lateral quickness was extraordinary for a player his size.
Su Feng's current offensive game was limited—he relied mostly on simple dribbles. He hadn't yet incorporated his "face-up" and "post-turn" skills into his matchup with McGrady.
Because McGrady used his length and timing to disrupt Su Feng's shot again and again.
And so…
By 9 a.m., when Mancias and the others pushed open the door to the gym, they found a furious, disheveled McGrady… and a delighted Su Feng.
McGrady regretted it.
If he could redo it, he would've told Su Feng: "Forget the honor, just give me that $100!"
Want proof? In one of their duels, Su Feng and McGrady racked up a total of 58 missed shots—that's just one game!
McGrady had to fight tooth and nail to barely scrape out the win… while Su Feng was ecstatic.
Even though McGrady didn't produce iron value quite as efficiently as Kobe, there was a silver lining:
McGrady didn't hold back like Kobe did.
Unlike Kobe, who was too familiar with Su Feng and often tried to protect his confidence, McGrady wanted to win—desperately.
In terms of trash talk tolerance? The current McGrady couldn't compare to the seasoned Kobe Bryant who had endured Su Feng's daily antics.
So whenever Su Feng provoked him with a jab or two, McGrady would instantly flip out.
"We're done for today. One-on-one resumes at 4 a.m. tomorrow," Su Feng said with a grin.
McGrady: "..."
Tomorrow again?
Maybe… it was time to sneak back to Auburndale?
"If you're tired, take a break. I'm heading to do some physical training," Su Feng added. "After all, I'm different from you—I'm entering the NBA next year."
McGrady: "..."
Kobe could endure that kind of arrogance. McGrady? Not so much.
Wait… did he say he's going to the NBA next year?
"Aren't you going to college?" McGrady asked.
"Nope. Kobe and I are skipping college—we plan to enter the draft next year," said Su Feng.
McGrady nodded. Somehow, that balanced things out.
Because in McGrady's mind, Su Feng and Kobe were probably bad students like him, so…
"Michael turns 33 next year. We want to play with him before he retires.
It's really a shame.
Kobe can score over 1000 on the SATs with a random guess, and I can hit 1200 with my eyes closed…" Su Feng said dramatically.
McGrady: "..."
That was it—he was going back to Auburndale. Right now.
What was this madman saying?
Well, Tracy McGrady was still young.
He didn't yet realize that Su Feng was getting revenge for yesterday's emotional punch to the gut.
Because let's be honest… grudge-holding knows no bounds.
Looking at his second plug-in, Su Feng could tell that McGrady's sleepy eyes were dangerously close to fully waking up.
So he gave McGrady a pat on the shoulder.
"Take it easy. I truly believe this summer training will help us both grow immensely," Su Feng said.
McGrady's heart was heavy—it was the kind of heaviness no amount of Su Feng's encouragement could lift.
Meanwhile, while these two trained intensely…