Leon was in Shanghai yesterday to visit a special school together with NBA basketball star, Yao Ming. In the evening, both of them also attended a charity show in Shanghai. When the 6-feet tall Leon met up with 7.5-feet tall Yao Ming, Leon immediately became a "dwarf". If Leon stood on his toes, his height only reached Yao Ming's shoulder.
However, Leon did not feel awkward and he joked, "It has been a long time since I have to look up at somebody. If I have to chat with him for one whole day, my neck and shoulder would be quite painful."
At the special school, Yao Ming played basketball with the children while Leon played table tennis. Although Yao Ming is very tall, Leon revealed that he is a very observant person. He had asked Leon why Leon was born in Beijing, yet he did not have Beijing accent. While Leon was signing autographs for the children, he asked Leon again why he had signed his surname character "Lai" in so simple strokes.
Leon also said, "If I were as tall as Yao Ming, I would also go and be a basketball player, otherwise it would be a waste. However I prefer table tennis. (Would you consider being a full-time table tennis player?) If you are a full-time player, you have give it your best and not give up halfway. But from what I know, among all the sports, table tennis players earned the least."
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Leon and Yao Ming attended a charity programme in Shanghai the night before. After being together for a one day, both of them had become more familiar with each other and they even exchanged presents.
Actually, the China basketball superstar, Yao Ming, is Leon's fan. The night before, he had expressed that he hoped to get Leon's autographed CD through his manager. Leon said, "I've heard my company's colleague say that he had already wanted to ask for it in the afternoon, but he was shy. So when I knew, I immediately autographed a CD for him."
Leon had not expected that Yao Ming is his fan, so of course he felt very happy. In the CD which he gave Yao Ming, he had especially written the words "bring honour to the country" for him.
Although Yao Ming was restricted by contract and could not give away signatures easily, he made an exception and signed on a basketball for Leon. Nevertheless, Leon also respected him and said that the autographed basketball was only for his private collection and he would not let it be photographed.
At night during the charity programme, after Leon had given out a DVD, the compere introduced the T-shirt given out by Yao Ming as a "healthy present", Yao Ming immediately said to Leon, "He said that my present is healthy, but it does not mean that yours was not healthy!", and everyone had a good laugh.
*Credits to LFS*
