Chapter 272: Heading Toward Tiger Mountain—Are You the One Who Wants to Break Up With Me?

On the afternoon of December 25, a luxurious SUV heading from Maribu to downtown Staples Center carried laughter and chatter.

Robert and his family of four were happily heading to Staples Center; they had bought tickets to the Christmas showdown. This was the happiest thing for the family in the week before Christmas, because many families had not secured tickets to the highly anticipated game.

Mrs. Robert, a high‑brow intellectual, could not contain her vanity and posted her tickets on social media.

It sparked thousands of comments, the most traffic she had ever received since joining social media. Many expressed envy and jealousy, and some were willing to pay more than five times the price to buy her tickets. Then, after Dehuai Te Howard joined, the asking price surged to ten times.

Mrs. Robert was not short of money; she enjoyed the feeling of setting out as a family.

Even though her husband was wearing the Lakers' number‑24 jersey and forced her to wear the Lakers' number‑16 jersey, her son and daughter were dressed in the Clippers' number‑10 jerseys.

Such situations are commonplace in Los Angeles.

The older generation prefers the Los Angeles Lakers, as has always been their tradition. Young fans, however, are infected by Fan Xi's energy, and more and more teenagers become Fan Xi's supporters.

"Child, although I'm glad you have your own opinions, which means you're becoming a person with independent thought, you must understand another thing clearly: don't challenge authority lightly; being eccentric is something children pursue, and overthrowing the old is fairy‑tale material. The ones who truly can change the world are still those massive, deeply entrenched powers."

Attorney Robert earnestly taught his son, hoping his son would become a mature and steady person like him.

Little Robert, however, was the complete opposite of his father; his speaking speed was at least twice his father's. He told his dad: "I know what you're trying to say, but I think it's always the hot‑blooded young people who drive the world. Those aging middle‑aged men just lie on the record of achievements, feeling justified, talking about the power of habit."

"No, son. Do you know why Dehuai Te Howard joined the Lakers instead of the Clippers? It's because of the Lakers' brand power; the Lakers' brand, built by so many superstars, gives them the right to be easily overturned just because Jieke Fan became famous overnight."

Attorney Robert said angrily, fearing his son would become a pretentious dreamer. "If a person constantly thinks they can change the world, they are likely to be abandoned by that world."

"No, father. I think that if a person doesn't even have the courage to change the world, they will forever be a mediocre nobody," Little Robert retorted.

The atmosphere grew heavy.

"Tonight's game will teach you a lesson, child."

"No, dad. I think tonight's game will give everyone a surprise."

The two father and son faced off sharply.

The little daughter sitting in the back suddenly said, "So, will Taylor appear on the sidelines tonight? I hope she will share a kiss with Jieke Fan tonight. That would be a victory for us ft girls…"

The two fathers finally reached a consensus: "Shut up!"

Both basketball fans thought that discussing gossip at that moment would tarnish the game.

The lady of the house sat there, smiling at everything, believing it was the warmest scene in the world.

The two men argued about the game, battling each other's worldviews, while the girl looked forward to gossip… she smiled as she watched them.

Nothing could be happier.

…

What happened to the Robert family is just a snapshot of Los Angeles, with many similar events occurring elsewhere.

ESPN said tonight is the most important game in Los Angeles basketball history, because it is the heaviest, most brutal suppression of the challenger Los Angeles Clippers by the Los Angeles Lakers.

It is worth noting that the number of fans entering tonight is a 50‑50 split.

Although this is the Clippers' home court, Lakers fans have always been financially ahead of Clippers fans; Clippers fans were previously mostly blue‑collar, while Lakers fans have always been the favorite of middle‑class families.

In addition, the discriminatory remarks previously exposed by Si Telin were an important factor, causing many Clippers fans who had secured tickets early to resell them, naturally to Lakers fans.

Thus, the scene at the Staples Center now shows Lakers fans and Clippers fans split evenly. Moreover, it's not a clear‑cut half‑and‑half; it's a mix where you contain me and I contain you, with people wearing different home teams' jerseys scattered like stars, resembling an evenly matched Go game.

The camera sweeps across the expansive Staples Center, evoking an epic sense of chaos.

It looks like footage from a Chinese period drama, a scene of chaotic times.

…

Fan Xi arrived at the Staples Center early, practiced for a while and then returned to the locker room, because a flood of media poured in; ESPN and NBC were both broadcasting live on site, and their equipment and staff made the arena somewhat chaotic. For this globally watched game, too many media personnel gathered together.

Fan Xi dislikes this mess, and they constantly try to run over to ask him questions.

Every pre‑game move of Fan Xi becomes news.

So Fan Xi simply returned to the arena, waiting for the game to start.

Like Fan Xi, the other players in the locker room were also silent, except Buleike Geli Fen, who was excited, clapping his hands and shouting: "This is a historic moment. Brothers, this has more attention than any other game; every move we make will be seen by over a billion viewers."

Apparently Kele Ka Daixian told him; the Kardashian family knows exactly how to create hype and attract attention.

Probably because Griffin was unusually excited, head coach Maikelbang placed him on the bench, and the starting lineup featured De An De Lie Qiao Dan, Kuameibulang, Ke Huai Lun Na De, Han Mi Er Dun, and Fan Xi.

This made Griffin quite upset.

But he actually endured it and did not fall out with Maikelbang.

Because before the game Kele told him: you must be patient. The Clippers are a ship that could sink at any moment tonight; what you need to do is seize every chance to shine, become the brightest among the losers, so you can snatch others' light.

Griffin may not heed others, but he treats this woman's words as gospel.

That is probably what they call love.

…

In the Lakers' pre‑game locker room, Kobe Bryant was also silent. Although he knew the Clippers lacked the strength to match the Lakers, he still tightened his strings, refused interviews, and did not join Howard's locker‑room games. He seemed like an out‑of‑place old man, because he knew Fan Xi was not someone to be easily captured; this game would not be the one‑sided sanction the media claimed.

Dehuai Te Howard was very active; he didn't act like a newly‑joined rookie, being known for his happiness. He only needed one training session to blend with the Lakers players, and his relationship with Chris Paul was especially close.

Howard has praised in the media more than once: I've never played against such an excellent point guard; I'm sure a true breakout is coming, and my peak has only just begun.

The other Lakers players were also optimistic; Howard filled the Lakers' paint, causing their defensive energy to surge, and his athleticism will keep the Lakers at top‑level activity during fast‑break transitions.

From the pre‑game atmosphere, the Los Angeles Lakers seemed more confident.

…

At 8:30 p. m. Western Time in the United States, the Staples Center lights dimmed. After the on‑site DJ introduced the Lakers players, they shouted loudly to welcome the Clippers onto the court, creating a strong sense of ceremony.

In fact, judging by the cheers, both sides were about equal.

The ESPN commentator sneered, "This is the reality of Los Angeles; Lakers fans are everywhere. You think this is the Clippers' home court, but it's not."

The starting players of both sides took the court.

The Lakers' starting lineup was: Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Luo En A Tai Si Te, Pau Gasol, Dehuai Te Howard.

Three superstars, one All‑Star, plus a former Defensive Player of the Year.

This lineup, from any offensive or defensive angle, should be called the best in the world.

In comparison, the Clippers' starting lineup appears somewhat 'thin'.

Kuameibulang voluntarily steps onto the midcourt.

The second‑rate center who has been scolded for most of his professional career and has always been meek stands tall tonight, his fierce gaze fixed on Howard.

Howard glanced at Kuameibulang and, unconvinced, looked away.

This is a disdain rooted in his bones.

He has almost forgotten Kuameibulang, so how could he still treat him as a hypothetical opponent.

Beep!

When the head referee blows the whistle, he tosses the basketball into the sky.

Howard sprang up with a whoosh, and Kuameibulang also leapt quickly; honestly, Kuameibulang's jumping speed was no longer slow, but Howard was even more powerful.

Howard's wingspan was also longer.

His palm struck the ball first, and at the same moment… Boom!

Kuameibulang thrust upward forcefully from below… the basketball flew out of Howard's control at that moment.

And Kuameibulang instantly felt pain in his right index and middle fingers.

This was the only method he could think of.

Even though it was just an inconsequential jump ball.

But Kuameibulang had accumulated too much frustration, and… when he arrived at Kuaisuan, by Fan Xi's side, in this not‑long period he gradually reclaimed something long lost: dignity.

The once‑mocked second‑rate top scorer now has his own obsession; his revenge would sound ridiculous if spoken, just like his comical butter‑hand highlight reels.

However, who says a person must rot in others' mockery.

'Dreams that would be laughed at if spoken are even more worthy of being realized.'

This was told to Kuameibulang by Chen Ye.

"Fuck it!"

After landing, Kuameibulang shouted loudly.

Before that, Fan Xi had already darted out at speed, snatching the ball before Kobe Bryant.

With Kuameibulang's roar, the number‑11 player on the Kuaisuan bench furrowed his brows, showing a meme‑style embarrassed face. Because Kuameibulang shouted in English.

"Tomato?"

Howard glanced at Kuameibulang; he didn't know why the second‑rate player suddenly shouted "tomato".

Could his brain be malfunctioning?

Fan Xi, ball in hand, steadily reached the frontcourt.

The Staples Center displayed a bizarre scene on this Christmas night, feeling like Santa Claus wearing a Tang‑style robe.

Half the arena's crowd shouted: MVP!

MVP! MVP!

The other half shouted: Defense! Defense! Defense!

It sounded chaotic, like twenty thousand ducks divided into two groups arguing.

Fan Xi, steady on the general's platform amid the turbulence, reached the top of the three‑point arc, then looked up at Chris Paul approaching him.

Paul's gaze burned; the man hailed as the league's number‑one point guard, Mr. Saint Paul, spread his arms, watching Fan Xi's every move with all his might.

Fan Xi sneered, "You're right, it's time to make a Luo Duan."

Immediately, Fan Xi suddenly took the first step; his fierce stride, like a lightning strike, instantly split the dark clouds, stepping onto Paul's weakest defensive zone.

As if gripping the seven‑inch point.

Paul instinctively twisted his body; he could not help but act according to his body's reflexes.

As Paul just turned his body, Fan Xi not only didn't change direction, but surged forward.

Chris Paul is nicknamed the Little Cannon.

But Fan Xi's strength had already surpassed him.

Fan Xi, like a lightning intrusion, made his second step even sharper than the first, each step faster than the last.

Back then, Tracy McGrady was famed for the league's second step, relying on the second step being faster than the first.

Now, Fan Xi also employed a similar attacking rhythm.

Chris Paul originally thought Fan Xi would cut past him, but his cleverness backfired.

Whoosh~!

Fan Xi drove straight in, leaving a sharp afterimage before his eyes.

He was brushed aside like a wooden dummy.

As if a master duel, after a single sword strike, Chris Paul's neck bore a clear red line, and his head fell to the ground.

The result was decided so cleanly and neatly.

Even the fans in the arena hadn't fully reacted.

Fan Xi, like a bold swordsman who can kill a man in ten steps, instantly surged into the free‑throw line, secured the ball, then charged forward with even greater ferocity, leapt, his body soaring like a cannonball, as if a tyrant descended, possessing courage no ten thousand men could match.

At the apex, Fan Xi arched a reckless reverse bow, slamming toward the hoop with a battle‑axe stance.

From the arc top to the paint, Fan Xi moved in a straight line.

He stepped forward with the aura that on a narrow road the brave prevail; he advanced with the boldness of preferring a straight shot over a curved one; and he forged ahead with the domineering resolve of knowingly heading into a tiger's mountain.

Howard was the tiger in the paint.

When he saw Fan Xi charging in, Howard hesitated slightly, about to leap and block, but saw Kuameibulang crashing toward him. After barely evading Kuameibulang, a black shadow descended from the sky, enveloping him completely; he instinctively raised his hands to shield, becoming a side character in an epic‑level tableau.