NBA: Northeast China's spectacular dunks sweep the entire league.

Chapter 75: The Suona Unveiled! Yellow Peach Generation 1

A long line formed outside the Capital Workers' Stadium as early as 3 a.m.

In the queue, some people held up signs that read "Lin Hao, marry me," others carried banners that read "Northeast Big Flower (a popular sneaker brand)," and one guy was even wearing a brightly patterned padded jacket, shivering in the cold wind while eating a jianbing (Chinese crepe). The security captain circled the venue three times, cursing into his walkie-talkie, "This isn't a sneaker launch event, it's more like a market than this!"

Inside the venue, staff were frantically setting up. The stage backdrop featured a brightly colored floral print, and stacks of half-person-high cans of yellow peaches lined both sides. The air was thick with the mixed smells of disinfectant and canned fruit syrup. Nike China President Mark stood to the side of the stage, his tie askew and his forehead beaded with sweat.

"Mr. Lin hasn't arrived yet?" Mark asked his assistant, his voice trembling. "The global live stream starts in twenty minutes. If he's late..."

"Don't worry, Mr. Ma," the assistant said, handing over a towel. "Mr. Lin said he will never be late."

As soon as he finished speaking, the door to the backstage dressing room was pushed open.

Lin Hao wore a casual jacket with a red and green floral pattern typical of Northeast China, over a plain white T-shirt, black sweatpants, and the "Yellow Peach Generation" sample shoes. Zhao Dabao followed behind him, wearing a floral cotton-padded jacket, a large gold chain around his neck, and carrying a suona bag.

"Haozi, your outfit is really eye-catching," Zhao Dabao grinned. "The security guard almost didn't let you in just now, saying you looked like a street performer."

"Even street performers are better than you," Lin Hao straightened his collar. "Go backstage and wait; it'll be your turn to go on stage soon."

Harris walked over from the side, impeccably dressed in a suit, and looked at Lin Hao's attire, hesitating to speak: "Hao, there are over two hundred countries and regions around the world broadcasting this live. Are you sure you want to go on stage dressed like this?"

"What?" Lin Hao raised an eyebrow. "A big floral jacket is embarrassing? This is the 'provincial uniform' from my hometown in Northeast China. It's much more imposing than your suits."

Harris opened his mouth, but ultimately remained silent. He had followed Lin Hao for two years and was already used to this guy's style—you might think he's crazy, but he's often the one who ends up making money.

Five minutes before the press conference, Lin Hao stood behind the curtain and looked out. The audience was packed with people, and the flashbulbs in the media area never stopped. In the front row sat coaches from various CBA teams, entertainment stars, and many fans who had come all the way from Northeast China.

"Uncle Lin!" a clear voice rang out.

Lin Hao turned around and saw Guo Ailun wearing a tracksuit, his face tense, holding a can of yellow peaches in his hand.

"Why are you here?" Lin Hao squatted down.

"Uncle Zhao picked me up," Guo Ailun said, handing over the can of food. "Uncle Lin, I wish you a successful press conference! I want to wear these shoes to play basketball from now on!"

Lin Hao rubbed his head, took the can of food and put it aside: "Practice hard, and when you make it to the CBA, Uncle Lin will make you a pair."

"Yes!" Guo Ailun nodded vigorously.

"Five minutes to get ready!" the director shouted into the walkie-talkie.

Lin Hao took a deep breath and walked towards the stage entrance. He could feel his heart racing, not from nervousness, but from excitement. These shoes had taken a full six months from conception to completion. Now, they were finally going to see the light of day.

"Please welcome—Lin Hao!"

Suddenly, music burst into play—not a pop song, but a rousing drumbeat of a Northeastern folk dance. Lin Hao stepped onto the stage to the rhythm, his bright red floral jacket gleaming under the lights. A deafening roar erupted from the audience, and a flurry of camera flashes filled the air.

"Hello everyone, I'm Lin Hao." He picked up the microphone, and as soon as he spoke in his Northeastern accent, the audience burst into laughter. "Today, we're skipping all the fluff and getting straight to the point."

The large screen lit up, playing a promotional video for the "Yellow Peach Generation". The sides of the shoe feature the classic red and green stripes of a Northeastern Chinese floral jacket, but with a gradient effect, like a fire burning in the snow; the sole is engraved with fine suona patterns, with the word "Lynx" hidden within the patterns; the tongue is embroidered with a Q-version Lin Hao dunking pattern, next to which are the five characters "Northeastern Floral Jacket".

"I designed these shoes myself over three months," Lin Hao said, pointing to the big screen. "Some people say they're tacky, some say they're weird, but I think they're great. Why? Because they're something from China, something from Northeast China!"

He paused, then suddenly pulled a suona (a traditional Chinese wind instrument) from his pocket: "Today's press conference isn't going to be a ribbon-cutting ceremony; we're going to do something different."

The entire room fell silent instantly.

Lin Hao handed the microphone to the host and raised his suona with both hands. The next second, the melody of "Good Luck" resounded throughout the stadium.

"Sizzle—!"

The suona horn blared sharply and brightly, with a powerful penetrating sound. Lin Hao played it while swaying his body to the rhythm, the hem of his floral-patterned jacket fluttering in the wind. The fans from Northeast China below the stage instantly erupted in cheers, clapping and stomping their feet in time with the music, some even whistling.

As the music ended, Lin Hao tucked his suona into his belt, picked up the microphone, and said, "These shoes are called 'Yellow Peach Generation 1.' Why the name? Because when I was a kid, if I won a game of basketball, I'd eat a can of yellow peaches, and it was a sure way to win!

The audience burst into laughter.

"Now," Lin Hao pointed to the large screen behind him, "pre-sales are officially open. Sales will begin simultaneously on the official website and in physical stores. The first batch of 10 pairs will each come with a free can of yellow peaches. Playing ball is no fun without yellow peaches!"

As soon as he finished speaking, hurried footsteps came from backstage.

"Haozi! Haozi!" Zhao Dabao rushed up, phone in hand, face flushed red. "It's broken! Pre-orders exceeded 10 pairs! The servers crashed!"

Lin Hao was stunned for a moment, then smiled.

President Mark stood to the side of the stage, clutching his chest, looking like he'd just escaped a close call. He'd been worried about sales, but now it seemed these "outdated" shoes had really hit the nail on the head with consumers.

After the press conference, Lin Hao was surrounded by the media.

"Mr. Lin, why do you insist on incorporating Northeastern elements into your shoes?"

"Because I'm a Chinese player," Lin Hao wiped his sweat, "my roots are in China, in Northeast China. The shoes I wear have to let the whole world know they're Chinese."

"Are reports that Nike headquarters initially opposed this design true?"

"It's true," Lin Hao readily admitted, "but I told them, either do it my way, or I'll go to Anta. And look, they made the right choice."

The reporters burst into laughter.

Harris walked over and handed over a data report: "Hao, the pre-sales in North America are also very popular. Many foreigners think the design of these shoes is 'cool,' saying it's like a mysterious Eastern power."

Lin Hao took the report, glanced at the numbers, and smiled: "I told you, good things are known worldwide."

He walked outside the stadium, where Guo Ailun was still waiting for him.

"Uncle Lin, you were so cool playing the suona just now!" Guo Ailun's eyes sparkled. "I want to wear the Yellow Peach 1 jersey and play the suona too!"

Lin Hao smiled and handed him the suona: "Here, give it a try."

Guo Ailun carefully took the suona, puffed out his cheeks, and blew on it—"Sizzle!"

The voice was shrill and off-key, causing the surrounding staff to burst into laughter. Lin Hao laughed too and ruffled his hair.

[Ding! Detected that the host has completed the global launch of "Yellow Peach Generation," exceeding the threshold for commercial influence and unlocking the passive skill: [Cultural Export]—Overseas market acceptance of Eastern culture +20%, subsequent endorsement negotiation success rate +15%.]

Lin Hao looked at the system panel and was in a great mood.

Some things have to be done step by step.

But some things, like showing the world what Chinese basketball looks like, can't wait a moment longer.