Chapter 406: Do You Want Two Fan Girls' Blood Splattered on the Streets?

On the afternoon the elimination round began, the London arena was flooded with a huge number of Zhongguo team fans… More and more domestic fans gathered here, having crossed the ocean and endured a long flight just to witness a new record being set.

The men's basketball game has become the highest level of hype.

Originally, many domestic media were already covering the Olympics, but the men's basketball fever attracted another wave of media as well.

Head coach Li Nan became busy within two days after the Zhongguo team defeated Spain; he had to turn away every reporter trying to approach the players, citing the need to keep the squad focused.

The match against Russia drew over 17,000 spectators, of which at least 12,000 were Zhongguo fans, about 3,000 were Russian fans, who were outmatched in momentum; the remaining over 2,000 were all there for Fan Xi.

These days the British media have been busy shaping public opinion about Fan Xi; you often see comparisons between Fan Xi and Beckham in their papers. Of course, a certain famous British beauty also professed love for Fan Xi… Fan Xi was basically on a rampage in London.

But the day before the showdown with Russia, paparazzi caught Si Jia Li Johnson at London Airport; she had traveled far, originally in France to promote her new film, yet now it seems the allure of French luxury stores pales compared to that of Jie Ke playing in London.

British fashion magazines are urging British beauties to step forward and target Si Jia Li, refusing to let the Black Widow run amok in London.

Jie Ke should be every woman's Jie Ke.

Fortunately, a group of national team players couldn't understand the English reports, so they didn't have to argue with Fan Xi for a while or seek his guidance.

The Russian team's ace player is Kirilenko.

His nickname is AK-47, Russia's most famous weapon.

Kirilenko had a solid NBA career; he was once considered the league's only player capable of a five‑double, being so versatile. Before Deron arrived in Salt Lake City, he was the team's leader, like a guardian leader for all teams. After Deron grew up, he quickly moved away from the tactical core, becoming a fearsome defensive player… while also making outstanding side‑wing contributions.

Yao Ming has a deep impression of Kirilenko; back then the Rockets' biggest nemesis was none other than the Utah Jazz.

Recently Kirilenko's name is often compared with Fan Xi's.

Unrelated to basketball.

Rather, Kirilenko's wife once publicly declared that she permits Kirilenko to cheat once a year.

This led to Kirilenko being privately voted the NBA's happiest man; although loyalty is a laughable notion for NBA stars, the moral legitimacy of a certified affair is intoxicating.

Fan Xi's name is paired with his because people don't know how many 'cheating' licenses Fan Xi has actually obtained.

It seems… he is always seen with different women, yet no incidents have ever occurred.

Moreover, he has never bought his rumored girlfriends million‑dollar diamond rings or ten‑million‑dollar mansions… On the contrary, the news always shows Fan girls raising funds for Jieke Fan's acquisition of Kuaisuan.

Thus, in the minds of many NBA players, Fan Xi's rank has surpassed Kirilenko by more than one level.

This rank gap was perfectly reflected in that afternoon's game.

The Russian team truly only possessed the strength to barely advance.

The Zhongguo team, however, blossomed at multiple points under Fan Xi's orchestration; the national team players displayed full confidence, directly shown by Yi Jianlian daring a one‑handed dunk.

It was a historic scene; almost all of Yi Jianlian's dunks are two‑handed… just like his personality.

Even during training in the United States, Arenas would 'maliciously' tease the introverted power forward: 'I suspect that even in the bedroom, you only know one position.'

Russia surrendered before the end of the third quarter.

The entire arena resonated with uniform MVP cheers. The Zhongguo team fans who had traveled far later enjoyed Fan Xi's various dunks.

Fan Xi actually scored only 10 points in the first three quarters, a rather 'pitiful' tally for an international superstar.

Thus, in the fourth quarter he executed four consecutive brilliant dunks.

Then, he was substituted out.

This effortless victory signified the Zhongguo team breaking the Olympic curse, historically reaching the Final Four and setting a new record.

When the final buzzer sounded, Fan Xi looked around, watching fans waving red flags, and felt tears well up with emotion.

Everyone once wrote in their childhood notebooks, 'Bring honor to the nation, be a person who contributes to society.'

At this moment Fan Xi felt his dream materialize into reality.

He believes his father and mother are now surely sitting in front of the TV, proud of him.

This is the simplest sentiment in every Zhongguo person's heart.

In fact, at this moment the CCTV commentator was already shouting hoarsely on TV: 'Final Four! Final Four! Final Four! The Zhongguo team has historically broken into the Final Four, this edition of men's basketball has created unprecedented history, Fan Xi is great, he has changed the national team's image, he bravely stepped forward in a time of transition, he leads Chinese basketball to new heights, and we have reason to believe this height will rise further, and we will remain here for a long time!!'

The TV roars, and cheers erupt outside the TV.

Describing the Zhongguo team's historic entry into the Final Four as a nationwide celebration is no exaggeration.

Many brands have begun courting the national team, hoping to provide abundant sponsorship; in fact, savvy brands have already rushed to London, aiming to finalize deals before the team returns home.

Lu Yuan also received many offers, but he is a composed person who knows the commercial value hasn't peaked yet.

"We will keep moving forward."

Fan Xi declined an interview, but he gave the CCTV reporter a single line, leaving the nation's fans with a resolute silhouette.

…

France defeated Lithuania.

Just as Fan Xi expected, France, though adept at surrendering, possesses very good combat power.

They unleashed all the strength they conserved in the group stage onto Lithuania.

The Lithuanians helplessly endured assassinations by Tony Parker and others.

On the other side, the Dream Team beat host United Kingdom, and Spain eliminated Tunisia.

The Final Four matchups unfolded just as Fan Xi had envisioned.

Zhongguo team faces France, United States faces Spain.

Originally, everyone thought the ultimate final would be United States versus Spain.

But Fan Xi defied fate, forcibly advancing their rightful matchup ahead of schedule.

Now, as long as the Zhongguo team beats France, they will advance further into the gold‑silver medal contention.

Even if they ultimately lose to the Dream Team, it would still be the first time in history to win an Olympic medal.

Moreover, the national team's original best expectation was only to vie for a bronze.

"The situation looks not just good, but great."

Domestic media comment the national team's current situation this way.

Many media outlets even couldn't wait to slap a silver medal onto the Zhongguo men's basketball team.

After all, in the group stage the Zhongguo team battered the French team so badly that before the third quarter ended the French team surrendered.

The French team, however, remained confident; after Boris Di'ao defeated the Lithuanian team, when the media asked whether a rematch with the Zhongguo team would repeat the outcome, he confidently said, "In the group stage we lost to them on purpose. We had long anticipated such a showdown; everything is under control."

Boris Di'ao was extremely confident and very courageous.

In contrast, Tony Parker was more low‑key, merely saying that he would give his all.

The Zhongguo team remained collectively silent before the game began; even Guo Ailun did not grant interviews or speak publicly.

This was at Fan Xi's request.

Now the team's morale is at its peak and cohesion is unprecedentedly strong; he does not want the players to make statements that would drain their energy.

Therefore, the national team has been training in the hotel, and aside from that they only watch footage of the French team.

Even though they beat the French team in the group stage, Fan Xi remains highly vigilant.

…

London media are far‑reaching; after the national team defeated Spain, they captured Si Jia Li Johansson arriving in London and still not having left.

And after the Zhongguo team eliminated the Russian team, they filmed Kendall Jenna's figure.

Jenna appeared at a luxury brand's runway together with her two sisters; the difference is that her sisters were watching the show while she was working, having become a hot‑shot model in the fashion world.

Her net worth has multiplied geometrically over the past year.

Moreover, she never talks about Fan Xi in the media, even though many have told her that mentioning Fan Xi would boost her fame.

Yet she is only obsessed with radiating her own charm.

It seems she hasn't taken a shortcut, but in fact she has reached unprecedented heights because… no one truly idolizes another's follower.

Being oneself is the wisest.

Jenna's appearance makes entertainment media even more eager for the men's basketball game, as they can't wait to spin some news.

"If he leads the team to the finals, I will definitely be on the sidelines."

Jenna replied when interviewed by the media.

"I won't back any team for the championship; I'm not a basketball fanatic. But I support Jie Ke, and I hope he plays excellently." Jenna gave a evasive answer when asked whether she supports the Dream Team or the Zhongguo team.

This contrasts sharply with her sisters; Kim Kardashian and Cole both think the Dream Team will easily take the gold medal.

"Because the Dream Team has an enormous roster of superstars—you know, the United States has the most and best basketball players in the world, the world's top players are all in the NBA, and Jie Ke is just one of them, though he's great. But I think the Dream Team will undoubtedly win, after all we are the 'Beautiful Dream Team,' not the 'Nightmare Team.'" Kim Kardashian said proudly.

"Because the Dream Team has James Harden; trust me, James Harden will become the world's best basketball player, taking all the MVPs. Stop just orbiting around Jie Ke Fan, James, and Kobe. You should trust the Kardashian family's vision." Cole spared no effort in advertising for his boyfriend.

However, the media clearly have no interest in James Harden; their interest in Cole is scant, just a minor figure of the Kardashian family.

"So will you meet Si Jia Li? She's also in London now, apparently staying next to the hotel where the Zhongguo team is lodged, looking… eager."

A London reporter deliberately sowed discord.

Jenna hadn't spoken yet when her two sisters rushed to say, "Everyone knows Jenna is Jie Ke's official girlfriend; I think she's just come over to generate some publicity flow…"

Kim Kardashian said with a mocking tone.

Cole added with a sneer, "Maybe she just came to London to take a bath? You know, many people want to drink her bathwater."

Cole clearly isn't a supportive partner; after all, her boyfriend's older brother is the man who once publicly said he wanted to drink bathwater.

Jenna spread her palms and said, "My sisters are just joking. Si Jia Li and I get along well; we share many topics. If we meet, I think I'll talk with her about the new products that will be popular next quarter."

Jenna subtly gave the brand a plug.

Yet British media remain keen on manufacturing friction between Jenna and Si Jia Li, seemingly eager to see the two Fan women splatter blood on the streets.

…

The match against the French team still took place in the afternoon, and it continued to draw a huge crowd of Zhongguo fans; that day, Zhongguo fans made up over 70% of the audience… keep in mind France is right next to London, while China requires a long flight.

This is the most genuine love for basketball.