Chapter 177: You Can Always Trust Duke Jack

"... Undoubtedly, Jieke Fan's performance is not a miracle, but a legend."

Fan Xi returned home, turned on the TV, and heard a suit‑clad expert lavishly praising him: "... I have long known that Jieke Fan would erupt tonight; it's his tradition, he always can unleash massive energy under extreme pressure."

"It's just that tonight this energy broke through the Three Giants' coverage, and that surprised you..."

Fan Xi changed the channel.

He doesn't like hearing such flattery, because someone who praises him without any reason can surely criticize him without any reason as well.

"... Jieke Fan must have hidden his abilities before; he's always been like that, no one knows how many weapons are in his arsenal. So I'm not interested in his urine tests, but the league has now pre‑announced that no performance‑enhancing drugs were found..."

Still talking about himself.

Fan Xi switched the channel again.

This time it finally wasn't a basketball channel.

"... Si Jia Li claims she does not rule out using legal weapons; she can no longer tolerate the Kardashian family's verbal and physical violence, she insists that after the game she was subjected to personal restrictions by the Kardashian family, and she also warned Kanye West to stay away from these women... they will swallow all your talent and drive you crazy, I'm sure."

"Selena's management said they are still unclear about Selena's emotional orientation. However, judging from the past feud between the company's artists, the Jonathan Brothers, and Jieke Fan, her agency could not support Selena dating Jieke Fan."

"Last week the Jonathan Brothers resumed ticketed performances, but the box office showed they had lost a key supporter base; those young women seemed more inclined to buy Playboy Jieke Fan's sneakers than to attend the Three Brothers' concerts, and Joey Jonathan committed an indelible mistake."

"The only reason Selena's agency would support Selena dating Jieke Fan is probably to get revenge on Tai Lei Si Wu Fu Te and Jenna. If Jenna hadn't rejected Joey, and Tai Lei Si Wu Fu Te hadn't kicked Joey, perhaps last week's concert ticket sales would have remained as booming as usual!"

"Regardless, Jieke Fan's crew destroyed the popularity of Disney's flagship idol group; they have no reason to magnanimously support their sweetheart princess and Jieke Fan's renewed romance."

"..."

Fan Xi watched about three minutes of MTV's entertainment news program.

After he removed himself from the role of the involved party, he watched with great interest.

This is probably one of the reasons Jimbas dared to sell front‑row tickets for $300,000.

Jimbas and Ku Pu Qie Ke are now unleashing their daring to an unprecedented degree; riding on this unexpected victory, they are determined to maximize their profit.

The facts also prove their "daring" was justified; more and more sponsors are raising their bids, hoping to secure an ad spot at Staples Center.

Jimbas even creatively placed advertisements on the backs of all first‑row seats; a slew of sponsors are willing to pay for it, hoping that some rumored girlfriend of Jieke Fan will sit in their sponsored spot.

Lu Yuan and Ma Chen, two members of Fan's Team, arrived at Fan Xi's room the next morning and looked extremely excited.

The fame Fan Xi has enjoyed over the past ten hours is unprecedented, and the recognition he has received on the basketball court is likewise unprecedented.

They are increasingly impressed by Fan Xi's long‑term vision, and they told him that more major brands are now seeking cooperation.

Fan Xi remained calm.

"Now the whole world knows you are already an NBA superstar, from the moment you dunked the basketball over the Three Giants' heads."

Ma Chen exclaimed, "If we can secure the next third and fourth victories, Jie Ke, I dare say you will become the most legendary basketball player in history. At least in the early stage of your career, no one can compare to you."

Fan Xi smiled.

After they talked for a while, Nike organized a group of staff to come and examine Fan Xi; they were very concerned about his current physical condition.

For Nike, whether the Miami Heat win or the Los Angeles Lakers win, they have won.

In fact, they have already won three times in this finals.

Kobe Bryant and James are both their endorsers.

Fan Xi is the founder and spokesperson of their collaborative brand.

All of Fan Xi's metrics are normal, which puts their minds at ease.

Then Fan Xi took a telephone interview from a mainstream domestic media outlet; during the interview he spoke eloquently and insightfully.

Fan Xi's popularity in Asia has skyrocketed, especially in Zhongguo, where the NBA's influence is growing and young people are increasingly fond of basketball.

Fan Xi's performance in the finals made many compatriots proud; although there was no large‑scale domestic reporting on Fan Xi's rumored girlfriends, the internet knows no borders, and he also received widespread support on this matter.

He even gained a new nickname.

NBA Wei Xiaobao.

This new nickname, after being bathed in internet meme culture, quickly evolved from NBA Wei Xiaobao to NBA Lu Ding Gong, and then further translated into Purple Gold Duke.

A duke, whether in the East or the West, is a very high rank.

This nickname spread to the United States extremely quickly through Fan Xi.

Los Angeles Media amplified it, gladly giving Fan Xi an honor‑filled, laudatory nickname.

Only in the West, a duke's rank is one step below that of a king.

But, to hell with it.

"Duke Jie Ke has already arrived at his loyal Staples Center; he will stab King James to death here."

Los Angeles Media wildly fabricated such statements.

As if King James's throne were about to be overthrown by Duke Fan Xi, it sounds like the script of a palace revenge drama.

However, it aligns well with the NBA's promotional direction.

Before the start of Game Four of the finals, the NBA released a new promo clip featuring Le Bu Lang Zhang Si wearing a crown and holding a scepter.

On the Lakers' side, the leading figure quietly switched from the former Black Mamba Kobe Bryant to Fan Xi; Fan Xi, brandishing the duke's long sword, points directly at James.

"This is downright terrible; Los Angeles media, apart from creating gossip and all sorts of nonsense, are useless."

"They think they can deify, turning Jieke Fan into a magnificent, world‑cynical NBA Grand Duke. But they must understand the difference between delusion and dream."

James was furious, unleashing a tirade at his manager.

Because his manager told him that if the Lakers win the championship this year, James could become the biggest loser.

James told him firmly that this could not happen.

After the loss in the previous game, James and all key figures of the Heat gathered at a hotel, meticulously reviewing every detail of the match.

Their conclusion was: Los Angeles had not truly taken the lead. Miami had been careless, overlooking Jieke Fan's cunning, and had not anticipated that he had been playing the role of a physically weak player, staying relaxed until the game became irrecoverable.

Moreover, James firmly believes that his next game could never be as erratic as the previous one. In an internal meeting he swore emphatically: a 21‑shot, 7‑make performance will never happen to me again.

Wade also emphasized that he will take Fan Xi's strength more seriously.

The Miami executives fundamentally turned the arrogant mood around; now they truly can only take the suspense back to Miami.

"Burn, Heat. Only three games left until the championship is born!"

Ke Li Si Bo Shen posted a signal on his internet account the day before Game 4 of the Finals.

The comment section quickly turned into a battlefield for players on both sides.

Miami fans shouted "Go!".

Los Angeles Lakers fans mocked him, posting all sorts of pictures of Ke Li Si Bo Shen being flipped by Fan Xi, and teased: "Is the math wrong? Isn't two games enough?"

The back‑and‑forth between the two fanbases was quite intense.

However, the signal Ke Li Si Bo Shen sent before the game clearly showed they were already prepared.

…

The Los Angeles Lakers side was not idle.

Fan Xi declined Selena's private invitation, in order to practice the new tactics more solidly with his teammates.

Besides that, Fan Xi also refused to have dinner with Tyler, and did not accept the request to visit the Kardashian house.

He was just soaking in the training camp, actively interacting with his teammates.

After clinching the third win, the Lakers' confidence visibly returned; they were no longer listless.

Their passion for a three‑peat dynasty reignited fiercely.

If one says that what spurs Miami now is shame,

then what drives the Lakers forward is glory.

Bai Na Mu's movements on the practice court became unprecedentedly vigorous.

Only privately, he said to Fan Xi: "Jie Ke, after winning the championship, could you pass me some tips on picking up women? I really want to be a man like you. Purple‑Gold Grand Duke."

"From now on I'll be the Little Duke."

Bai Na Mu pounded his chest and said to Fan Xi.

The two stood together, their physiques a stark contrast; he said the line without sparing the mischievous charm of Shaq O'Neal.

Fan Xi smiled helplessly.

Bai Na Mu was a man with little scheming; after joking with Fan Xi, he was called over by Jimbas.

Jimbas, now riding high, encouraged Bai Na Mu to guard the paint, to continue his previous performance, and to work hard for the Lakers' championship.

The Old Bass he was pushing also looked excited; watching the thriving scene on the court, he felt relieved—it was the happiest thing for him lately.

He said to Bai Na Mu: "Andrew, you have always been cultivated as our team's reserve strength. Though you were unsatisfactory before, you're good now. You must give your all to assist Jie Ke, and become a new OK combo with him."

"Of course, don't worry, boss. Not only will we become a new OK combo, we'll also be an OK combo that never falls apart. We share a strong common value," Bai Na Mu said, pounding his chest.

Old Bass showed interest and asked: "What common value?"

"We will build a football stadium, break into Hollywood together, become Hollywood's dream lovers. Ahahaha, from now on, the Los Angeles Lakers are Hollywood's secret garden!!"

Bai Na Mu was quite proud.

"Ahem!"

Old Bass coughed twice; his expression was a bit stiff, but he hid it well. He said: "Nice ideal, keep it up, Andrew."

Old Bass ended the talk, and Jimbas happily pushed his father onward.

And he chatted with Fan Xi for a while; their conversation was proper, just a regular boss and player talking. The boss urged Fan Xi to keep working hard, hoping to see Fan Xi achieve greater success.

Fan Xi said he would do his utmost to fight for victory.

It was all just rhetoric.

Then Jimbas pushed Old Bass to Ku Pu Qie Ke's office.

Next, he bragged to Old Bass about the upcoming game's revenue.

He told the old man: "We will break the NBA Finals box‑office record, which we previously set ourselves. Moreover, we've created a brand‑new sponsorship model—every seat in the front row is a sponsorship spot…"

Jimbas spoke at length.

As he talked, he kept bragging about his insight: "From the start I knew Jieke Fan wasn't ordinary; he shines. I've never seen such a charismatic player—dominant and competitive on the court. Off the court, he's beloved, not just Asia's Michael Jordan, also basketball's Beckham, no, he's literally basketball's Leonardo."

"Too many Hollywood actresses are obsessed with him, too many girls buy tickets just to watch a game they don't understand… he's basically a rock‑star."

Jimbas lavished praise, ending with: "Moreover, his relationship with Kobe is so harmonious. I believe the Lakers will thrive under his leadership, and I will become the NBA's most successful helmsman."

It can be said that Jimbas was extremely confident.

But Old Bass remained calm; he knows Jimbas deeply and is well aware of his son's knack for messing things up.

Although it looks wonderful now, the future is truly hard to predict.

Then he asked Jimbas: "If I retire and hand the team to you, how would you place Jenny and Philip…"

"I would make Jenny our vice‑general manager or vice‑president; we're family, I won't let her talent be buried."

Jimbas answered very appropriately.

"And Philip?"

Philip is Old Bass's illegitimate son; Old Bass is a libertine with over a hundred lovers, and he parties in Hollywood far wilder than his wealthy peers.

At this point, Jimbas hesitated.

He said: "I'll have him start as a scout, assisting Ku Pu Qie Ke. Just as I once assisted Jerry West, he'll get a good position; you know, we've always been a family business."

Jimbas felt his answer was airtight.

Old Bass did not refute him.

He only said: "I'd like to watch the next game from the arena."

"This may be the last championship I witness with my own eyes."

…