Basketball System: Hate Makes Me Unstoppable-Chapter 379: A December to Remember.

(Han Sen's Side Story)

It was a cold December evening in Cleveland. Snow coated the city streets as Han Sen's annual charity event took center stage. Held at the newly renovated Quicken Loans Arena, the gathering combined a basketball skills clinic with a fundraising gala, benefitting underprivileged youth and local animal shelters—a cause Han had personally championed ever since adopting his lion, Sefu.

While the guests mingled and bid on exclusive memorabilia, Sefu was the undisputed star of the event. The giant lion sat calmly at Han's side, draped in a custom-made Cavaliers scarf. Children surrounded him, wide-eyed, as he allowed them to pet his thick mane. Occasionally, Sefu let out a soft rumble, a sound of contentment that melted even the most skeptical adults in the room.

Han knelt beside Sefu, feeding him small, carefully prepared snacks from a silver platter.

"You know, buddy," Han said, scratching behind Sefu's ear, "You're the real MVP tonight. These kids didn't come for me; they came to see you."

Sefu didn't respond, but if lions could smirk, he would have. Instead, he stretched out his massive paw and swatted playfully at the Cavaliers scarf dangling from Han's neck.

From Sefu's perspective, the entire event was an odd human ritual. Loud music, strange lights, and the overwhelming scent of food. He tolerated it, though, because Han seemed happy. To Sefu, Han was his pride—his pack leader. Wherever Han went, Sefu followed, even if it meant enduring these peculiar gatherings.

As the night progressed, Han stepped up to the mic for a short speech. He spoke about the importance of giving back, the inspiration he drew from the city of Cleveland, and the opportunities basketball had given him.

"Basketball saved my life," Han said. "And now, it's my turn to pay it forward. To every kid out there dreaming of greatness—whether on the court or off it—never stop working. And to everyone here tonight, thank you for making this city, and my journey, so special."

The crowd erupted in applause as Han raised his glass of sparkling water in a toast. Beside him, Sefu let out a low, approving growl, as if joining the moment.

---

As the event began winding down, an impromptu basketball challenge broke out. A group of local high school players had been invited to the clinic portion of the event and were now clamoring for a chance to go one-on-one with the NBA superstar.

Han, ever the competitor, couldn't resist.

"Alright, alright," he said, waving his hands to quiet the crowd. "Who's got the guts?"

A teenager named Marcus stepped forward. He was tall, lanky, and wearing a Cavaliers jersey—Han's jersey. The crowd cheered as the two faced off at the free-throw line.

"First to three," Han declared, tossing Marcus the ball. "But no easy buckets. You want to beat The Emperor? You've gotta earn it."

The game began, and to Marcus's credit, he didn't back down. He sank a smooth jumper over Han's outstretched hand for the first point. The crowd erupted, chanting the teenager's name.

Han grinned. "Not bad, kid. But let's see how you handle this."

What followed was a display of Han's skill, though he kept it playful. A spin move here, a no-look pass to himself off the backboard there. He wasn't just showcasing his abilities; he was inspiring the kids watching from the sidelines.

The score was tied at 2-2 when Han decided to end it. He faked left, crossed over to his right, and soared for a thunderous windmill dunk that rattled the rim. The gym erupted in cheers, and even Marcus couldn't help but laugh, shaking Han's hand afterward.

"You've got game, Marcus," Han said, patting the kid on the back. "Keep working. Who knows? Maybe I'll see you in the league one day."

Sefu watched the entire exchange from the sideline, his golden eyes tracking Han's every movement. To Sefu, this was just another display of dominance—something he inherently respected. But he also noticed something else: Han's joy. Even without understanding the intricacies of basketball, Sefu could sense that this game meant more to Han than the ones he played under the bright lights of the NBA.

---

Later that night, after the event had wrapped up and the arena had emptied, Han found himself alone on the court. Well, not entirely alone. Sefu lay sprawled out near the baseline, his massive frame blending into the shadows.

Han dribbled a ball lazily, the sound echoing in the empty arena. Then he stopped, turned, and looked directly at... you.

"Yeah, I'm talking to you," Han said, spinning the ball on his finger. "Don't act surprised. You've been here the whole time, haven't you? Watching, judging, cheering, hating. I see you."

He chuckled, tossing the ball up and catching it with ease.

"A thousand of you, huh? That's wild. When this all started, I didn't think anyone would care. But here we are. You've stuck with me through the highs, the lows, and all the chaos in between."

Han paused, his expression softening.

"So, thank you. For believing in me. For pushing me. For hating me when I needed it most. Because without you, none of this..." He gestured to the arena, the championship banners hanging high above. "None of this happens."

In the background, Sefu let out a low growl, his way of agreeing. Han turned to his lion companion, grinning.

"See? Even Sefu's on board."

Han took one last shot from half-court. The ball sailed through the air, perfectly arcing before swishing through the net. He raised his arms in mock celebration, then turned back to you.

"Alright, that's enough sentimentality. We've got more work to do. See you at the next game."

With that, Han walked off the court, Sefu trailing close behind, his pawprints marking the fresh snow just outside the arena.

In the distance, the city of Cleveland sparkled like a crown—a testament to how far they'd come.

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This content is taken from freeweɓnovel.cѳm.

Translator's Note:

First off, thank you all for 1,000 collections! This side story was written specifically to celebrate this milestone, and the 4th wall break? That was my way of tipping my hat directly to you, the readers who've made all of this possible.

Lastly, I do wonder sometimes: what if I had published this story under the Fan-Fic section instead of as an original story? It might've reached a wider audience, climbed rankings, and gained even more traction. But then again, this niche space we've carved out feels special, and your support makes it all worth it.

So, thank you for reading, commenting, and sharing this story. Here's to more Chapters, more milestones, and more moments that make this story unforgettable. And don't worry—Sefu's going nowhere. He'll continue to remind Han, and us, who the real boss is.