The retired basketball star Yao Ming ,whose basketball career was cut by injury, has started classes at Shanghai Jiaotong University, one of the top universities in his hometown of Shanghai.
     Yao Ming said that he studied for himself, not as a show for others. He also joked to reporters after his first day of classes that “ The teacher showed me some mercy(宽容) and did not leave me any homework.”.
       At the former Houston Rockets center, Yao Ming played in three Olympics. He increased the NBA's influence in China. He's studying math, English, and modern Chinese history, hoping they will help his business career. Unlike other students, Yao Ming has chosen to study different subjects, including finance(金融)，because he hopes to _apply_ the knowledge to his business.