Chapter 433: I Prefer Beyoncé

No matter how you say it, Dehuai Te Huo Wa De is the strongest new‑generation center, the top center in today's basketball world, while Mili Xiqi is just an ordinary center who has only just escaped the junk‑list; in this matchup, the advantage lies with Huo.

However, the life‑or‑death gap in top‑level basketball often comes down to a single point, and sometimes it's downright unreasonable, just like Yi Wa's love life: most women would choose the former between Huo Wa De and Mili Xiqi, but Yi Wa stubbornly harbors deep feelings for Mili Xiqi.

Huo Wa De's technique has mutated… even though he himself doesn't have much technique.

His altered moves created a void in the Lakers' paint, forcing Pau Gasol to scramble, but Gasol is an old sister‑in‑law; although the old sister‑in‑law has many flashy moves, his inherent weakness cannot be changed. Moreover, his tactical level has visibly declined over the past two years.

Of course, there's another reason: Kuaisuan assigned the old sister‑in‑law a robust man—Huaiti Seda.

Huaiti Seda is an unremarkable second‑round pick, but he's tough and clingy, with arm length comparable to Gasol's; when he tangled with the old sister‑in‑law, even though he only had a three‑axe, that sturdy three‑axe was enough to turn the old sister‑in‑law's delicate technique into mm‑mm‑ah‑ah, constantly thrusting his palm toward the head referee: "No foul on this."

The head referee deemed the collision reasonable.

De An Dong Ni is not a versatile head coach; in fact, he isn't suited to this large‑unit warfare mode, and it may not be long before the Lakers replace him with a more traditional famed coach. Lari Brown's name has recently been repeatedly mentioned by Lakers‑affiliated media, and people think this academy‑style coach is ideal for the current Lakers.

Kuaisuan built a four‑point lead in the second quarter.

Of course, for the spectators, Yi Wa's hug to Mili Xiqi at halftime was the greater advantage.

That directly broke Huo Wa De's defense.

The game hadn't even started, and he was already completely defeated.

Love can give people strength.

Setbacks can also unsettle one's mind.

During the second half, although both teams focused their attacks on the perimeter, with Ke Bi, Paul, and Jia Mi Sen being commendable on offense, Kuaisuan's side—Fan Xi, Butler, and Leonard—also delivered efficient performances.

What truly widened the gap between the two teams was still the paint.

Mili Xiqi was like a monkey perched on Huo Wa De's back; Huo's several drives yielded nothing. Mili Xiqi, however, grew more artistic, executing a few beautiful, dream‑like footwork moves.

High‑level games are often like this: a single faulty link makes compensation extremely difficult, unless another link suddenly reveals an unconventional strength.

Ke Bi didn't become the long board; he missed a Three‑Point Shot at a crucial moment. Fan Xi's defense was vividly displayed, as he read Ke Bi's back‑turn direction and pre‑emptively cut off his position.

After missing the shot, Ke Bi snarled at Fan Xi.

Fan Xi said, "Go home early and hug your kids."

Kuaisuan ultimately secured the win with ease.

Fan Xi posted a modest triple‑double—25 points, 13 assists, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks—virtually identical to his season averages.

Mili Xiqi scored only 11 points, 8 rebounds, and 3 blocks, yet he was deemed the key to Kuaisuan's victory. Huo Wa De was rattled when matched against him, shooting 15 attempts for just 16 points and a meager 9 rebounds.

One could say Huo Wa De lost both his wife and his troops.

The whole world knows he failed to win Yi Wa from Mili Xiqi; Yi Wa ignored his advances, and Mili Xiqi won the sexy young lady's heart.

The matter was sealed when Yi Wa, after the game, proactively approached Mili Xiqi to ask for his phone number.

"Who could refuse a white hottie over two meters tall with green‑dyed hair?" Yi Wa shouted to reporters, "If he asks me out, I won't refuse."

"Dehuai Te Huo Wa De is indeed very, very good, but I just don't like him," Yi Wa also answered the reporter's question about Huo.

Huo Wa De may have started with just empty talk, but now the whole world knows he's a man without charm. At least, he's less charming than Mili Xiqi.

He was left utterly battered in this public match.

Even winning ten thousand strippers at his nightclub couldn't make up for it.

Moreover, after that night, Huo Wa De and Mili Xiqi both showed up at the club, and the girls are sure to favor the green‑haired man over Huo Wa De. People are herd‑mind.

Furthermore, once money reaches a certain level, the distinction between a multimillionaire and a billionaire seems negligible.

Mili Xiqi was heckled by teammates in the locker room.

Jimmy Butler apologized to Mili Xiqi for his pre‑game overconfidence: "I always thought you wouldn't date, and even suggested you find a famous woman. I didn't expect you'd be better than me; Yi Wa is so charismatic, she left an indelible impression on us in our youth."

What kind of line is that?

Gilbert criticized him.

Then he pulled out a box of bio‑tools and handed it to Mili Xiqi: "Bro, I have to admit, Yi Wa is my dream woman. Keep this box; when you date her, I need to feel some involvement."

Xiao Qiao Dan also raised his hand, saying he loved Yi Wa as a child, but his dad forbade him from seeing her: "Can't I know what's in your heart?"

Xiao Qiao Dan mimicked his dad's speech, causing the whole locker room to burst into laughter.

Mili Xiqi pursed his lips, feigning aloofness, and said, "I might not even call her."

The locker room was filled with cheerful chatter.

Defeating the Lakers is a cause for celebration, and congratulating Mili Xiqi on leaving singlehood is equally so.

Fan Xi summed up after the game, calling it a double‑joy occasion.

Arenas said to him, "Why not chase a triple‑joy? I've noticed Megan Fox can't wait to date you. Fox is the world's third‑most sexy woman."

"Who are the top two?" Fan Xi asked instinctively.

"The second is Si Jia Li. You have no chance at the first," Arenas replied.

"Why?" Fan Xi asked, a bit indignant, his competitiveness sparked.

"The first is Marilyn Monroe." Arenas roared with laughter: "Hahaha!"

Fan Xi gave him a hard shove, making him flinch.

"But are you sure you won't go after the world's third‑most sexy woman tonight?" Arenas teased.

Fan Xi said nothing to him.

Soon, Mili Xiqi walked out with his bag slung over his shoulder.

However, Bilupusi warned him, "Don't push too hard, Da Ke. If De An De Lie's cramp doesn't improve, you'll still need to start the next game."

Hahaha!

The locker room rang with laughter.

Fan Xi took a shower and headed toward the parking lot.

After returning to the United States, Fan Xi switched to a new vehicle—a T‑Rex pickup—gifted by a sponsor. His star power now reaches a level where any item he likes is essentially covered by sponsors.

Just like Jordan's early trash‑talk with Gary Peyton; after Gary Peyton signed a million‑dollar contract, he shouted at Jordan, "Hey, Michael, I can now afford a Ferrari too."

Michael Jordan, as a generation's top show‑off, replied coolly: Ferrari? Buy one? I usually get them sent to me directly by the manufacturer.

If Jordan discussed this with Fan Xi, Jordan certainly wouldn't be so pretentious.

Nowadays, NBA players who can discuss wealth with Fan Xi are few, and in fact, Wall Street reports already claim Fan Xi's net worth has surpassed Michael Jordan's.

Although Michael Jordan became a billionaire first, owned an NBA team, and enjoys royalties from the Jordan brand, everything Jordan has, Fan Xi also has; moreover, Fan Xi's team is worth more than Jordan's, and Fan Xi is a shareholder of his own sneaker brand. Fan‑X's market value is about to exceed the Jordan brand.

Now, Fan Xi has long achieved financial freedom.

When Fan Xi arrived at the underground parking lot, he quickly found his imposing pickup, and what he didn't expect was Mili Xiqi standing beside his car, with Eva draping an arm around him: "Hey, Jie Ke. I regret to tell you I have to leave here with my European boyfriend. But we won't pick up Megan on the way."

Eva said to Fan Xi: "Tonight, she's yours."

Then Fan Xi saw Megan Fox leaning on Fan Xi's hood.

This scene reminded Fan Xi of a shot from Transformers.

He inexplicably wanted to drive with Fox to San Francisco, to the cliff by the Golden Gate Bridge for a cosplay.

"Hi."

Fan Xi reached out to Megan Fox and greeted her.

Eva, however, clutched Mili Xiqi's hand and walked away without looking back.

"Get in." Fan Xi opened the door; Megan Fox didn't grab the handle—this car had modified suspension and was very high. Fan Xi hurried over and gave her a little support… very soft, very bouncy.

Megan's face flushed instantly; she's not the shy type, but the physical contact with Fan Xi made her inexplicably bashful and caused some inappropriate physiological reactions.

Probably because she's heard too many rumors about Fan Xi.

Fan Xi closed the door for her, then walked to the other side and entered the driver's seat.

"OK, Miss Megan Fox, where do you want to go now? Captain Jie Ke will serve you throughout." Fan Xi said a playful line.

He's getting better now. He's no longer that little boy who was pinned against a wall by a woman, unable to move, only silently raising a flag.

"How do you get to the road in your heart?" Megan suddenly turned around, boldly asking Fan Xi.

Bold as she was, her gaze still flickered, and her face showed a hint of shyness.

Fan Xi raised an eyebrow; that damned guy grabbed the hand of the world's sexy goddess for men, gently placed it on his chest, and said, "This question is complicated; I intend to answer it over a lifetime. Are you ready?"

Oh, damn, he's too good.

Megan was completely overwhelmed; she instinctively covered her mouth, almost crying out.

Even though she knew Jie Ke was a playboy, oh my, being with a playboy was so delightful.

"How about we go to a hotel for a drink first?"

Fan Xi asked Megan Fox.

Megan nodded: "Anything you say is fine."

Fan Xi floored the accelerator—Boom! Boom! Boom!

The engine roared, hormones erupted wildly.

…

The next noon, Eva called Megan Fox and asked, "Last night, were you happy?"

"I'm dying," Megan Fox said weakly, but her voice was filled with joy; her cortex was still dominated by an intense, exhilarating pleasure.

"I'm on the news headlines."

Eva said, "As soon as we stepped out yesterday, paparazzi chased us; they almost ruined our date. We didn't have much romance, just went to a hotel, and then… hehe."

Eva was very natural in front of her best friend.

Megan Fox, however, lacked the energy to talk more; she said, "Alright, I'm too tired, I need to rest for a while now."

Fan Xi's prediction was prepared.

Because Kuaisuan Club rented a specific area at Staples Center as a parking spot for players, Fan Xi took special precautions, preventing reporters from entering that area.

So yesterday, no media paid attention to Fan Xi.

They all ran to chase Mili Xiqi and Eva.

Mili Xiqi attracted all the attention; they were filmed shopping, having coffee, and then heading straight to the hotel.

For Mili Xiqi, this continuous live broadcast was a novel concept; while Eva was calling Megan Fox, he also called Fan Xi, wanting to know how to handle the overwhelming public opinion.

Fan Xi said, "I don't know. But as long as you play basketball well, that's enough. No one will trouble you, even Tony Parker—he's only a legal ex‑husband."

Mili Xiqi was still a bit worried; this guy hadn't experienced suddenly becoming a media focus.

He previously dated either pure affection or pure money. Now, flashbulbs are mixed in.

"You need to be ready to become a celebrity; soon you'll get endorsements, you and Eva will appear on various shows. But Da Ke, I must tell you, if your basketball is poor, this atmosphere will vanish quickly."

Fan Xi then reminded Mili Xiqi.

Mili Xiqi is now very obedient.

…

When Mili Xiqi and Eva's news flooded the feeds, basketball media dragged Fan Xi in too, gnawing at him like rabid dogs, claiming Fan Xi corrupted the locker‑room atmosphere, turned Kuaisuan into a Hollywood offshoot, and taught players how to hunt Hollywood in the locker room.

This really slandered Fan Xi badly.

On the bus heading to Sa Te Men Tuo, he asked his teammates, "Did I ever teach you how to fall in love?"

"No. But I hope you teach us some. I want to date Rihanna; she's in my dreams," De An De Lie Qiao Dan stood up and shouted.

"Report, Jie Ke. I also want to date Rihanna!" Huaiti Seda said, with a hint of rebellion.

"Me too!"

"Who wouldn't want to date Rihanna?" Arenas stood up, saying he also wanted to try.

"I guess I hear it—Rihanna is your muse," Fan Xi said, looking around the circle of Black players.

Leonard said, "I prefer Beyoncé."

"To hell with you," Fan Xi glared at him irritably: "She's Jay‑Z's wife, and she doesn't live in Los Angeles; how could I go to New York to pull strings for you?"

…