Chapter 423: Absurd Night

Zhan Ni Fu An Ni Si Dun's wealth ranks among the top three of American female celebrities; she became famous for starring in "Friends" and dominates the screen with a sweet American image. Then, with a shrewd business mind, she completed many successful investments. So spending $150 million to acquire a 5% stake in the Clippers is not a difficult matter for her.

Since the deal was exposed, entertainment and sports media have been discussing it wildly; they say it is a dowry Jennifer pays to Fan Xi, they say Jennifer wants to win Fan Xi's favor through this method, otherwise why wouldn't she buy another team?

As such voices increase, they form a public opinion storm.

Fan Xi cannot help but become worried.

He asks Lu Yuan: "Why does she insist on signing with me face‑to‑face? Could there be some plot?"

Lu Yuan, irritated on the phone, tells Fan Xi: "Your shares are being sold to her; you won't sign with her face‑to‑face, so should I sign with her face‑to‑face? Jie Ke, sometimes overestimating one's own charm isn't a good thing. You should know that Jennifer's ex‑boyfriend is the world's most handsome man, Brad Pitt."

Brad Pitt?

A handsome face flashes in Fan Xi's mind.

Before the game against the Brooklyn Nets begins, Fan Xi asks Mili Xiqi: "Do you think Brad Pitt is hotter than me?"

Mili Xiqi shakes his red head firmly: "Absolutely not. Brad Pitt is only handsome in appearance, whereas you are handsome inside and out."

Fan Xi doesn't quite understand Mili Xiqi's linguistic logic.

This season the Nets moved to Brooklyn; thanks to the Russian oligarch owner's efforts, they finally obtained a New York City identity. However, compared with the Knicks' deep roots in Man han dun, moving from New Jersey to Brooklyn is merely a shift from a suburb to another suburb.

New York's basketball representative is still the Knicks.

When Fan Xi entered for warm‑ups, the Nets' owner Pu Luo Huo Luo Fu Te deliberately approached Fan Xi to chat; this Russian oligarch truly has two tricks up his sleeve. Nine years ago the Nets' owner faced an economic crisis, insolvent, and could no longer run the team.

Pu Luo Huo Luo Fu Te took the initiative, completing the purchase of 80% of the Nets for $220 million, and the $220 million figure is rather interesting: $160 million went to repay the Nets' debt, the remaining $60 million merely covered former owner Bruce‑Lightner's operating costs over the past few years; in plain terms, the former owner made no profit from this transaction.

The reason this deal was struck was that Pu Luo Huo Luo Fu Te was required to invest in two arenas: one the original New Jersey arena, and the other Brooklyn's newly built Atlantic Arena; for these, Pu Luo Huo Luo Fu Te poured in $223 million and $120 million respectively.

Anyway, the Russian oligarch made a killing in this deal.

From a long‑term perspective, he earned at least $1 billion; finding a gullible target, making $2 billion is no problem at all.

The Russian oligarch is indeed willing to spend; this season the Nets have not only Deron Williams and Brook Lopez, but also splashed cash to bring in Joe Johnson, Gerald Wallace, An De Lei Bu La Qi and other elite warriors.

He approached Fan Xi to discuss Fan Xi joining the Nets next season. He said that as long as Fan Xi is willing, everything can be agreed upon.

Fan Xi didn't continue the discussion, fearing the boss might be unreasonable.

He doesn't want to be taken for a ride.

"I'm just a player now; my job is to play for the team. I won't discuss next season's matters."

Fan Xi politely declined the Russian boss.

And he did not continue the conversation with him.

Pu Luo Huo Luo Fu Te did not lose his composure; he left with a smile. In the locker room, he loudly demanded Deron and others to crush the Nets mercilessly, saying he could not tolerate Fan Xi's pretentious attitude and that he despises all self‑righteous people.

Coincidentally, Deron Williams also dislikes Fan Xi, so Deron voluntarily stepped forward, saying he would never let the Clippers leave Brooklyn with a smile.

Although Deron's abilities have declined, his mouth has become increasingly tough.

After the game started, Deron went looking for Fan Xi.

Fan Xi, however, did not entangle with him; the Clippers played at their own pace, while Deron Williams kept trying to duel Fan Xi.

In fact, the Nets are now a loose alliance; they have plenty of talent but are a tactical mess.

Their level is even worse than the Boston Nets.

Fan Xi doesn't want to give them any advice, but he sincerely believes the Nets are wasting money.

Joe Johnson is a one‑on‑one king, Gerald Wallace plays with great effort but also dislikes passing, Bu La Qie is the same, and together with Brook Lopez, this team is beyond saving.

Under the Russian oligarch's watch, the Clippers needed only one quarter to beat them thoroughly. Fan Xi hadn't even exerted much, constantly moving without the ball.

The two teams' strengths differ enormously.

Not on the same level, no need to battle.

When the second quarter began, Fan Xi was already on the bench. He couldn't avoid the bench because the team didn't need him. If Mili Xiqi can use his agile footwork to bewilder the Nets' interior hopes, what else is there to play?

Brook Lopez is touted as the future of American white centers, but his movement speed is as if Cardon were pixelated, and he's a lone wolf; back when Yi Jianlian was still on the Nets, he often forced Yi Jianlian out, not to hinder his post play or his pursuit of offensive rebounds.

Mili Xiqi drilled him.

Then, Little Jordan came on and was also drilled.

Even when Huai Te Sai Te entered, he gave him a good beating.

Among the Nets' three interior players, Lopez performed the worst, Bu La Qie does nothing on defense, and the only diligent one is Fan Xi's former teammate, Hen Fu Li Si.

Hen Fu Li Si's career highlight is marrying Kim Kardashian, but fundamentally he's an honest man who works blue‑collar diligently. If that guy hadn't swindled a big contract early on, Fan Xi would truly want to bring him to Los Angeles to do some blue‑collar work, and perhaps disgust the Kardashian gold.

Midway through the game, the Russian boss couldn't keep his face on, and he left.

He no longer believed any miracle would happen in the second half; they were down 22 points at halftime, so the second half was pointless.

He was angry, feeling his money spent on signings had gone down the drain; he decided to invest again next season, spending whatever it takes to win a championship.

Having money truly is impressive.

During halftime, Fan Xi received a call from Lu Yuan, who said: "How about we sign the contract today; after all, the game's outcome is already certain."

Fan Xi thought, "That makes sense."

"Don't drag it out."

He hurried to take a shower, changed clothes, and left the arena for a hotel in Man han dun.

New York truly lives up to being the world's largest metropolis, especially Man han dun, which is genuinely prosperous. No wonder even a lousy team like the Knicks can make a fortune.

When Fan Xi arrived at the agreed hotel, he happened to run into Stephen Nash.

Nash was attending a business dinner here.

After arriving in New York, Nash's business activities outnumber those in Los Angeles; New York has too much money. Moreover, unlike Los Angeles, which is filled with tech and internet elites.

New York is pure Old‑money.

"Hey, Jie Ke. Aren't you supposed to be on the court now? Why are you here?" Nash said, surprised to see Fan Xi.

"The Nets don't need me to play," Fan Xi said, "I'm here to sign a share‑transfer contract."

Nash, upon hearing this, raised his eyebrows quickly, flashing a mischievous grin; recently, gossip about Jennifer's $150 million lavish quest for a child has been circulating among New York's high society.

"How about you, how's life in New York?" Fan Xi asked Na Shi about his recent situation.

"This is a great place to retire," Na Shi said happily, as they chatted and walked toward the elevator shaft: "You know, I've already gotten a championship ring. I just want to enjoy my life; Si Ta De Mai Er works well with me, as does Bao Li Si. Ka Mei Long hasn't quite adapted to the run-and-gun style; he prefers isolation, but that's fine—just carve out a solo zone for him."

"As long as we make the playoffs, the fans will be happy. So the pressure isn't great, the money's plenty, and the social circle has opened up… Jie Ke, if you weren't the Los Angeles boss, I sincerely suggest you play for the Knicks." Na Shi was enjoying his current life.

Fan Xi raised an eyebrow and said, "Actually, I almost joined the Knicks back then, if the Lakers hadn't given me that unprecedented contract."

In fact, this has always been a pain for the Knicks' upper management and New York fans.

They think that if Fan Xi had been secured back then, the Knicks wouldn't look like this now; the Knicks might already have at least one championship trophy.

"Li Ji Lu Bi Ao is great; I watched your games and didn't expect him to fit your tactics so well. He's basically a young version of Jason Kidd, plus a young version of me. Of course, he also shares our flaws," Si Di Fen Na Shi gave Li Ji Lu Bi Ao high praise.

Compared with Lu Bi Ao getting better and better on the Kuaisuan, Kuameibulang struggled in his two games with the Timberwolves. He already had a clash with Kai Wen Le Fu, who didn't want Kuameibulang grabbing so many frontcourt rebounds and also criticized Kuameibulang's offense in the paint as subpar.

Kuameibulang subtly indicated that Kai Wen Le Fu only cares about his own stats and never thought about winning games.

Judging from the current results, the Lu Bi Ao trade has the Kuaisuan winning big.

The two quickly arrived at the 39th floor, which was also Fan Xi's destination.

When Fan Xi entered the venue, he didn't see just Jennifer; he saw most of the New York social elite.

Fan Xi wasn't comfortable with this setting, and his jeans and hoodie made him look out of place at this upscale event.

"Oh my God. Jie Ke! Dear, you actually showed up here—God, have you seen the invitation we sent to your inbox? We want to invite you to shoot a joint magazine cover, and we can also secure you a high-end luxury brand endorsement, which would be a qualitative leap for your status in the fashion circle…" the famous magazine editor shouted as she walked over.

This man, highly authoritative in the fashion circle, seemed especially enthusiastic in front of Fan Xi.

Fan Xi didn't even know why he was being classified into the fashion circle, let alone why they called him a body bestowed by God.

Fan Xi doesn't understand fashion much, but fashion understands him well.

Even though he's wearing jeans and a hoodie, the accessory-laden editor firmly declared that Fan Xi was the most dazzling fashion guru in the room.

Then many socialites from New York's high circles came over to greet Fan Xi.

Fan Xi looked especially awkward.

As he was about to leave, the New York Knicks' owner actually walked over.

Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan is a very famous playboy in New York; even when his father controlled the Knicks, he was already a notorious spendthrift.

Unfortunately, after years of squandering, he hasn't lost his fortune; his wealth has only grown—how infuriating is that.

The unkempt him, upon seeing Fan Xi, opened his arms and embraced him, saying warmly, "Hey, Jie Ke, my good brother. Do you know how much I've been looking forward to meeting you? Even though we've never met before, you've been in my dreams every night lately."

"Last night I was praying to God—if I could meet Jie Ke, I'd rather go a month without touching a woman."

The billionaire launched his nonsensical style of networking.

The lady beside him retorted irritably, "You just had surgery, you can't touch women. Jie Ke, don't believe him; there's not a single truth in his mouth."

Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan clutched his chest and said, "Oh! God, I'm literally shattered."

He's an exaggerated person.

But Fan Xi now would rather chat with this guy than be pursued by those fashion bigwigs or some socialite... because he's genuinely worried a certain woman might dazzle him, lead him to a room, and then mercilessly xx him.

"Jie Ke, you know what? At the league meeting back then, I was the first to stand up and support your acquisition of the Kuaisuan," Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan chatted with Fan Xi about his past.

"Thanks," Fan Xi said awkwardly.

Zhan Mu Si Duo Lan wasn't embarrassed at all; he continued, "But I must also say, the reason I supported you is because of that two-year team-switch policy. I need you, Jie Ke—New York basketball needs you."

"Tell me, since the Knicks came into my hands, how did they become a joke? Have I spent too little? When Yi Sai Ya Tuo Ma Si arrived, I gave him a full budget to spend freely. Yet the result was we lost draft picks, paid the luxury tax—at the highest rate—and the team only made a single playoff appearance... you think that's infuriating?"

"I fired Thomas and brought in De An Dong Ni; De An Dong Ni was also unreliable—his run-and-gun never took off, he ran off to the Lakers and still lost to you. I hired Phil Jackson and gave Na Shi a big contract… in the end, we only managed a playoff run. So… Jie Ke, give a brother a hand."

Saying that, he poured himself a glass of Luo Man Ni Kang Di.

One gulp, and he was done.

Fan Xi was all too familiar with his style—just like the businessmen of his parents' generation: rough, generous, and willing to spend money.

Fan Xi smiled.

He said, "In this situation, I can't help either."

"You can definitely make it work. You even led the Zhongguo team to a championship; the Knicks will surely succeed." Duo Lan's mouth trembled, and then he collapsed onto Fan Xi and fell asleep.

This guy tipped over with one drink.

Fan Xi looked at the man who resembled a fat pig and thought, "This is damn ridiculous."

But the more absurd part was still ahead.

…

Ding Ding Ding