Chapter 435: This Is the Real Christmas Battle

Christmas Eve turned into a night of terror, at least for Fan Xi, that's how it was.

But for the media, it was a scene that drove them crazy.

Time Warner Television's recent performance has been very impressive, and the general manager who secured the Kuaisuan broadcast rights at a sky‑high contract has received constant praise from the board and shareholders. Looking across the entire league, which team enjoys as much exposure as the Kuaisuan? It's not just signing a super basketball powerhouse; they've also signed half of Hao lai wu.

With this level of buzz, exposure, and ad‑revenue capture, which TV station wouldn't say Time Warner has sharp insight?

Although the Lakers are currently dominant and widely regarded as this year's top championship favorite, the Kuaisuan aren't far behind—they even beat them last time. This time, who will come out on top is still uncertain.

Anyway, the Lakers have long suffered from a 'perform poorly when facing the Kuaisuan' ailment.

"Hey, Jie Ke, Merry Christmas Eve," Kobe Bryant said before the game, running over to greet Fan Xi: "I know you probably can't feel happy, but I'm very happy. Look at my kids, my wife, and the son in Vanessa's belly."

Kobe Bryant flaunted his happy family, emphasizing his preference for sons.

Fan Xi looked at him speechlessly.

"By the way, Jie Ke. Vanessa and I have decided, I'm going to name my son 'Jackson.' What do you think? Jackson Bryant," Kobe Bryant and Fan Xi chatted about family matters.

Jackson?

Fan Xi immediately thought of Phil Jackson's name, wondering that Kobe was oddly rebellious, eager to be Phil Jackson's dad.

Of course, over in the United States they don't think that way; they choose names rather casually.

Jackson, Jackson.

Fan Xi spelled it twice and hurried to remind Kobe Bryant.

Kobe Bryant had already turned toward the technical booth.

This name isn't popular. My English name is Jack, your son is Jackson, so what will my son be called later?

Fan Xi was puzzling over it when an old man approached—Larry Brown. He extended his hand to Fan Xi and said, "Hello, Jie Ke, I'm Larry Brown."

Fan Xi shook his hand; he was an elderly man with great spirit, graceful demeanor, and a strong aura.

When Fan Xi was a student, he often heard stories about him and Allen Iverson, and his great feat of leading the Detroit Pistons' five civilian stars to defeat the super Lakers.

However, after Fan Xi entered the league, Larry Brown gradually faded away, and Fan Xi had not interacted with him before.

At this moment, Larry Brown came over to greet him, which surprised Fan Xi.

"Hello, Coach Brown."

"I really like your style, Jie Ke. I've always been your fan, ever since your first season playing for the Lakers," Larry Brown expressed his admiration.

That surprised Fan Xi greatly; early basketball magazines focused on the rivalry between Larry Brown and Allen Iverson, portraying him as a meticulous, old‑school academy coach, while Iverson was a rebellious free‑spirit. So in Fan Xi's mind, such a stern, unsmiling coach wouldn't like a player surrounded by gossip.

The two together were like opposite extremes.

"You're the point guard I imagined. In fact, when I was in Philadelphia, the version of Allen Iverson I hoped for was exactly what you are now," Larry Brown continued.

Fan Xi didn't expect to be held in such high regard by Larry Brown.

Honestly, Fan Xi's idol is Allen Iverson.

Now, Larry Brown, who helped Iverson reach his career peak, says the version of Iverson he wanted is the one he is now.

That's an honor bigger than a Finals MVP... that's how Fan Xi sees it.

Fan Xi and Larry Brown exchanged a few brief words, and the game officially began.

Fan Xi and his teammates stepped onto the court; while Fan Xi avoided eye contact with the female fans, Mili Xiqi openly embraced Eva, kissing each other's cheeks to wish a Merry Christmas Eve. Tonight's starter Jimmy Butler also ran over to hug Mailey Selas.

The scene made the atmosphere lively, and some enthusiastic Lakers fans were still shouting Jieke Fan's name.

They hoped Fan Xi would make a choice among them.

Fan Xi, however, entered a state of deafening indifference.

TNT commentator Kenny Smith said, "Kuaisuan players are truly lucky; they've become hot commodities for Hao lai wu. Lakers players, on the contrary, look lonely. Look at Dwight's expression—he must regret not joining the Kuaisuan and choosing the Lakers instead."

Kenny Smith is a master of sarcastic, cutting remarks.

However, he was only half right. Howard is indeed extremely upset now. Since the game ended, he's become a romantic failure, with many questioning his charm. After all, as the NBA's top center, he lost a love chase to the knock‑off Mili Xiqi.

From any angle, he sees it as his humiliation.

His masculine dignity has never been lower.

It's something he can't regain no matter how he vents with those call‑girls, because the whole world knows those women seek him for his money.

And Eva left him for Mili Xiqi because of Mili Xiqi's charm.

As Eva and Mili Xiqi appear on headlines more often, he gets sadder, for he is the pathetic clown in their romantic story.

Howard also thought of a reason: Mili Xiqi is a Kuaisuan player, and he's not by Fan Xi's side.

But back then he indeed called Fan Xi first, hoping to fight side by side, even lowering his stance, willing to be on equal footing with Fan Xi, even a bit lower.

However, neither the Kuaisuan nor Fan Xi accepted him, which is why he ultimately joined the Lakers.

Seeing Kuameibulang, that knock‑off, win the championship with the Lakers, and now Mili Xiqi, another knock‑off, reap both fame and profit, Howard felt extremely hurt. In the past two days he even moved to a new house… because on his way home the billboard advertised a local fried‑chicken shop endorsed by Mili Xiqi and Eva.

To hell with it.

Howard glared angrily, and when he saw Mili Xiqi and Eva flaunting their love unabashedly, his fury grew; he had to beat Mili Xiqi up tonight.

Tonight, the Lakers' starting lineup is: Chris Paul, Kobe Bryant, Ron Artest, Jordan Hill, Dwight Howard. (Pau Gasol gradually became the Lakers' super sixth man after Larry Brown arrived.)

The Kuaisuan's starting lineup is: Fan Xi, Arenas, Jimmy Butler, Nowitzki, Mili Xiqi.

This was set up by Mike Brown specifically for this game; he wanted to start with a super‑strong offensive style to test the Lakers' defense.

Beep!

The head referee blew the whistle.

Eva's championship‑vs‑runner‑up battle jumped for the ball at midcourt.

Although Howard was extremely angry, he appeared aggressive.

But the final result, like Eva's exploration and usage rights, was easily snatched by Mili Xiqi, who slapped it to Fan Xi.

Fan Xi grabbed the ball and immediately launched a fast break.

Unexpectedly, the Lakers' retreat defense was also lightning‑fast, and as Fan Xi penetrated to the free‑throw line, their paint area had already formed a defensive net.

I have to say, La Li Brown has made contributions on defense.

But Fan Xi still penetrated the paint; he found space between the defensive gaps, and when Qiao Dan Xi Er came up close, his basketball had already been passed from behind to Nowitzki's hands… Kobe Bryant at one point surged from the side trying to steal, but Fan Xi's passing speed and angle exceeded the defense's expectations.

In terms of tactical arrangement, La Li Brown's defense is highly targeted.

Only, Qiao Dan Xi Er showed a tiny slip, and Fan Xi's passing route was too concealed.

Nowitzki made a jump shot.

This is a contest between top offense and defense, with extremely high tactical level… although it looks like just a single shot. It's not as spectacular as the whole court's running dunks and three‑pointers.

Megan Fox stood up and shouted loudly: "Brilliant pass, Jie Ke, go!!"

Megan Fox displayed her 'elite‑level' fan standard.

She wants to set herself apart from ordinary fans, and especially to distinguish herself from those ball‑illiterate Fan girls.

"To win over a man, you must become his confidante. You have to make him feel… wow, this woman gets him." Megan Fox said to Yi Wa Lang Ge Li Ya after sitting down.

Yi Wa, although she started watching the game earlier than Fox, her ex‑husband is Tony Parker, and she began entering the San Antonio locker room in 2005.

However, her understanding of basketball is indeed not as deep as Megan Fox's.

She realized she had to do something.

So, when Kobe Bryant drove to the rim, Mili Xiqi came to help defense, forcing Kobe to pass to Howard, Howard's floater missed, and after Mili Xiqi grabbed the rebound, she jumped up: "Beautiful disruption! Da Ke…!"

She elongated the vowel and shouted Mili Xiqi's name.

Her cheer was heard by the surrounding fans, just like a live commentator.

Old Tom, seated at the tech table, thought: Should I hand my microphone to these two female stars… Old Tom is Kuaisuan's resident DJ.

De Huai Te was very depressed.

He didn't expect his perfectly timed shot to miss, giving Mili Xiqi a chance to grab the rebound, and worse, giving Yi Wa a chance to jump up and show off affection.

"You really are damned."

On his way back to the half‑court, De Huai Te gritted his teeth and said to Mili Xiqi.

Mili Xiqi, however, sprinted forward; at the top of the three‑point arc he set a screen for Fan Xi, Fan Xi drove into the paint, Howard had to follow from behind, preparing to block Fan Xi.

But Fan Xi suddenly halted, feinting, forcing Howard to leap up, Fan Xi turned and tapped the ground, the trailing Mili Xiqi seized the ball, twisted his body toward the rim, Kobe leapt to contest… but only drew a foul.

Mili Xiqi's movement was so graceful; he twisted his body for a reverse layup, something Kobe could not have anticipated.

The basketball fell into the hoop.

Mili Xiqi earned a and‑one.

"What terrifying core strength, a perfect man… Da Ke……"

Yi Wa stood up again and shouted.

The sideline camera focused on her, and she also displayed herself brilliantly.

American fans waiting by their TVs all got a taste of this sweet dog food.

Perhaps it was sparked by Yi Wa's inspiration.

When Jimmy Butler made an open shot, Ma Li Se Le Si also jumped up, shouting: "Perfect shot, Jimmy………"

Oh, my god.

At this moment Old Tom didn't even know what to say; he felt he might soon be out of a job. If other Kuaisuan players also recruited a few Hao lai wu female stars.

Kuaisuan's Christmas showdown with the Lakers quickly became the internet's focal point, and viewership was skyrocketing. Everyone was willing on such a night to enjoy the unexpectedly dramatic spectacle.

Especially when Si Jia Li Johnson and Selina, opposite Megan Fox, also stood up to cheer and comment on Fan Xi, the game seemed less important.

La Li Brown sighed.

He realized a boring thing was happening: the defensive cage he had meticulously planned might not work tonight, because the game's atmosphere was already changing.

The Lakers side was heavily affected, especially De Huai Te Howard, and Qiao Dan Xi Er clearly hadn't grasped his tactical thinking. Ron Artest's lateral movement also didn't meet his expectations.

So, when the game reached the latter half of the second quarter and Kuaisuan led by nine points, he said to head coach De Antoni: "Let your team go on the offensive against them."

La Li Brown wanted to continue exploring his tactics in this game.

He also didn't want Kuaisuan to catch his tactical ideas; he hoped to crush Kuaisuan directly in a more critical match.

But what he didn't know was that Fan Xi had already realized: the Lakers' restriction on him was extremely effective.

La Li Brown didn't lie before the game; he truly knew Fan Xi well, even studying every detail of Fan Xi, and he was better than other coaches at spotting Fan Xi's subconscious moves and the subsequent pass, cut, or shot choices.

Fan Xi felt he was being watched, yet he could still break through.

But what if the Lakers continue to develop?

What if La Li Brown set a trap for himself in a crucial game?

Just like last season when he concealed a pick‑and‑roll tactic with Nowitzki, ambushing the Heat.

La Li Brown is truly an old schemer.

Fan Xi took a deep breath; his sense of crisis was arising.

But at this moment, his teammates were hyped up by the 'commentary' of these Hao lai wu female stars.

They all enjoyed this dramatic emotion. Especially after the Lakers suddenly switched from defense to offense, they played increasingly brilliantly.

Especially Mili Xiqi.

Near the end of the second quarter, after Mili Xiqi executed a beautiful fake, spin move, reverse layup that scored and earned a and‑one, he pointed at La Li Brown on the Lakers Bench.

"Hey, Coach Brown. What do you think of this move?"

Mili Xiqi had waited many, many years for this line, and now he finally dared to say it to the person who once seemed like Satan to him.

La Li Brown knew it was directed at him.

The old man didn't feel the panic of being 'slapped in the face,' nor the anger of being publicly provoked.

He just smiled and said, "If you had the courage to make this move nine years ago and say this to me, how wonderful that would be."

Of course, the words left the imposing Mili Xiqi speechless.

Yeah, if I had had the courage to face authority and defy it back then, how wonderful that would have been.

So this isn't just his problem alone.

Mili Xiqi thought this in his heart.

He seemed about to fall into confusion again, and Fan Xi was somewhat worried.

But at that moment, Mili Xiqi lifted his head, his smile as bright as his green hair. He said, "Back then, I couldn't speak English. Hahaha."

Mili Xiqi let out a hearty laugh.

Fan Xi's lifted heart settled, and he exhaled.

He knew that on this Christmas Eve, Mili Xiqi had completely let go of his old burdens and had stepped forward.

He no longer lived in the past; he returned to the court in his own way.

Perhaps Yi Wa's contribution played a part, too.

La Li Bu Lang stared blankly for a while, shifting from a carefree air to a hint of silence. Mili Xiqi's words declared a farewell to the past, yet La Li Bu Lang slipped into old memories, thinking: maybe I was indeed too harsh; he wanted immediate results. He was only 17 then and didn't understand English. It was me….

Swish.

Mili Xiqi made the free‑throw.

Then Mike Brown substituted him out.

When he left the game, Yi Wa ran over and embraced him; he spun around holding Yi Wa. Then he suddenly crouched, letting Yi Wa sit on his shoulder, and he hoisted Yi Wa up.

Yi Wa shouted from his shoulder, "Merry Christmas, everyone. I don't have osteoporosis!"

The show's effect was turned up to max.

The entire Staples Center was filled with a joyous, harmonious atmosphere, and the viewers in front of the TV were ecstatic.

Perhaps that is the true meaning of the Christmas showdown.

Sitting in the NBA office, Da Wei Si Te En watched the live buzz of the six Christmas showdowns, smiled, and said, "Los Angeles truly lives up to its name."

Amid the crowd's cheers, Mili Xiqi set Yi Wa down and demonstrated a French kiss for everyone.

Then back on the bench, his teammates rushed over to high‑five and chest‑bump him, and Arenas even insisted on giving him a kiss.

The atmosphere was wonderfully exquisite.

The game on the court was played even more relaxed.

Both sides ended the first half with a wave of attacks.

As the players headed back to the locker rooms, a stage was quickly erected in the arena for Rihanna's performance.

Huaiti Seda and Xiao Qiao Dan insisted on staying to watch.

Fan Xi and the others returned to the locker room.

Fan Xi didn't want to linger at the sidelines; if Megan Fu Ke Si or Si Jia Li rushed over, their media‑fueled bickering could turn into an all‑out melee, making the Christmas night completely unsafe.

"I really enjoy this game. Kuaisuan's players and their girlfriends spread the meaning of love to the whole world," Ken Ni Shi Mi Si said during halftime, earnestly elevating the match's stature.

But Cha Er Si Ba Ke Li teased from the side, "I think you should exclude Jieke Fan. He's drugging men worldwide. He makes men everywhere, on such a wonderful Christmas night, watch three super‑beautiful women vie for his attention. It's so depressing."

"Alright! Let's listen to Rihanna's live performance."

…