Chapter 455

The charter flight returning from the Oklahoma City Thunder to Los Angeles was somewhat silent; this was one of Kuaisuan's few defeats this season, and it was completely different from the loss to the Rockets.

Losing to the Rockets, they all knew they hadn't really played seriously.

But this game….

"We must find a suitable way to help the team."

Butler said on the plane.

Arenas raised his eyebrows, he was somewhat nonchalant, and said: "Jie Ke will handle everything; Jie Ke is an omnipotent god. If you get down because of this, I think it's unnecessary worry."

"Cheer up, guys, we'll clinch the fifth win at home and retain our championship."

Gilbert said casually.

They have never doubted Fan Xi.

Moreover, in his view, the Thunder's win was just a combination of many factors. The two teams played four games, and each other's true strength was crystal clear.

Kuaisuan's edge over the Thunder is not a one‑line advantage but a half‑position.

They want to secure a series win, not sparing any dreamers.

Fan Xi has little worry about the Thunder; even though Westbrook joked about his weakness, so what? The Thunder hasn't reached the level to exploit his weakness.

However, the Los Angeles Lakers and Heat receiving this news could make things complicated if they deploy targeted strategies.

Kuaisuan, the Los Angeles Lakers, and the Heat are on the same level, although Kuaisuan's regular‑season record is better. Yet in a full series, regular‑season records are only a reference.

The Heat's strength may even surpass Kuaisuan's. At least, Fan Xi, watching the Heat's game against the Indiana Pacers, noticed the Heat still held back, even in the game they lost.

When Kuaisuan arrives in Los Angeles.

The Bulls, Heat, and Los Angeles Lakers all secured their third win.

The four leading teams are back on the same starting line.

Fans already know that this year's Eastern and Western finals could repeat last season's drama.

Only, no one knows whether the Miami Heat will continue the peak battle with Kuaisuan, or the Chicago Bulls will successfully avenge the Los Angeles Lakers.

The day Fan Xi returned to his Beverly Hills mansion, he called Megan Fox and Scarlett Johansson. While Fan Xi was traveling to the Oklahoma City Thunder for an away game, the two were fighting fiercely, even filmed on a Hao lai wu set exchanging verbal attacks.

Fan Xi doesn't want the matter to keep fermenting, so he invited the two to come to his house when they have time to discuss it; he wants to be a mediator and stop the trouble.

After Fan Xi finished the call with them, Anne Hathaway called Fan Xi, asking when Fan Xi is free.

Fan Xi said any time works, and gave her his home address.

Fan Xi really wants to chat with Anne Hathaway; they have many common topics, and he hopes Hathaway can play an important role between Scarlett and Fox.

After finishing the call with Anne Hathaway, Fan Xi went to the indoor arena to practice shooting.

He hopes his Stop-and-Go Jump Shot can be more precise; although compared with last season's poor shooting percentage, his growth speed now is astonishing, because he has been diligent, and after improving his coordination he hasn't stopped training.

His yearly training volume equals three years of other stars, which is why his shooting is near average… after all, he rose from 'knowing nothing'.

And compared with other shooters, he must overcome more… broad palms and astonishingly long arms.

A shooter's wingspan and palms aren't actually large; historically perhaps only Jordan could be that accurate. Look at those giants' free throws, and LaGaronda….

Fan Xi sweated heavily from his practice.

Then, he received a call; Anne Hathaway told him she had already arrived at Fan Xi's house.

Truly swift.

Fan Xi does not employ a driver, butler, or nanny at home; although his house is huge, he doesn't like using servants, and he doesn't habitually live with people he's not close to.

Of course, this also relates to his frequent meetings with Hollywood actresses here; he's not a person who likes fanfare, even though the media constantly features various news about him.

Fan Xi opened the door with an electric remote, told Anne Hathaway over the phone to wait in the living room, and he went to take a shower.

When he came down, Anne Hathaway was already waiting in the living room; she saw Fan Xi and said, "The décor here is nice, very tasteful."

Fan Xi smiled.

Then he sat on the sofa and discussed the female lead of that film with Anne Hathaway. Hathaway told him that Scarlett and Fox originally didn't have strong interest in the movie, but now they are fully invested because they are opposing each other; neither wants to lose.

She suggested Fan Xi talk with them properly.

Fan Xi said he would do so, but only after defeating the Thunder.

Fan Xi hopes to defeat the Thunder soon; he needs at least three days to resolve the issue. Yet the Thunder are getting bolder, and it looks like Kuaisuan may need six games to finish them.

For Fan Xi, time will become tight.

Hathaway discussed Friday night's game; she said Kevin Durant deliberately applied pressure to gain home‑court advantage, and back in Los Angeles, Kuaisuan just needs to play steadily; beating the Thunder isn't a big issue. Even just Leonard or any of Nowitzki performing well would suffice.

Hathaway really knows basketball.

And she is truly beautiful; today she wore a long dress, makeup simple, yet her radiance couldn't be hidden. She is a woman whose looks and figure both matter.

Fan Xi finds Hathaway also very sexy.

Especially… "The scent on you smells wonderful."

Fan Xi said to Hathaway.

Hathaway smiled and said, "It's not perfume, it's aromatherapy."

She pointed to a small copper furnace in front of her and said, "I brought it especially."

Fan Xi took two sniffs; there was a gentle fragrance he liked.

At that moment, his phone rang; it was Fox calling, and Fox said she had already arrived at the foot of the mountain, sounding ecstatic on the phone, saying she wants to give Fan Xi a new surprise… very bold.

Fan Xi coughed twice; from Hathaway's increasingly awkward expression he could see she clearly heard what Fox described.

He said, "Call me when you get to the door, and I'll open it for you."

"Also, there are guests at home; you should be more dignified."

Fan Xi said.

After the call, Hathaway stood up; she wanted to extinguish the aromatherapy. Fan Xi said, "No need, it smells great. I've been under a lot of mental stress lately, and it gives me a soothing feeling."

"Um… okay then," Hathaway said, taking a big gulp of water.

Fu Ke Si quickly arrived at the door, and Fan Xi opened the door to let her in.

But while Fu Ke Si went to the garage to park, Fan Xi received another call, which was from Si Jia Li.

Si Jia Li said they would be arriving soon.

And Si Jia Li doesn't need Fan Xi to open the door for them; their car will be recognized automatically.

Fan Xi suddenly realized this was a good opportunity, clapped his hands, and said to Hai Se Wei: "An Ni, I need your help now. It's hard enough that we've brought them here, and we need to have an open and frank discussion, to resolve the problems between them. I trust you, An Ni; you possess magical power and can persuade anyone."

Fan Xi tightly grasped Hai Se Wei's shoulder and said.

At this moment, Hai Se Wei's face showed a hint of panic, and her breathing was rapid.

Then, Fu Ke Si walked in.

Fu Ke Si, upon seeing Fan Xi and Hai Se Wei, was slightly disappointed, but quickly became enthusiastic again, and said: "Hey, An Ni, you actually showed up here. Are you planning to persuade me, together with Jie Ke, not to argue with Si Jia Li any more?"

"Yes," Fan Xi hurriedly said, "In fact, Si Jia Li will arrive soon; I hope you can manage the differences through dialogue."

When Fan Xi uttered that, Fu Ke Si turned pale with shock, and quickly said, "I don't want to see her. No, Jie Ke, I don't want to see her."

"This matter must be resolved today," Fan Xi said firmly, "unless you want to lose me."

Those words quieted Fu Ke Si's emotions.

Fu Ke Si could no longer stay away from Fan Xi; Fan Xi seemed to have magical power, occupying all of her soul. Now, when she sees other men, she feels a strong repulsive aversion.

In fact, others are the same.

Si Jia Li quickly arrived in the living room, and when she saw Fu Ke Si there as well, she became angry.

However, she did not lose her temper.

Instead, she glared angrily at Fu Ke Si.

Fan Xi spoke at this moment: "I invited you here this time to resolve this issue. I don't want to see your disputes on the media again; that's not a good way to get along. I am a Zhongguo man, and if Zhongguo men are always paired with chaotic quarrel news, they will be seen as incompetent."

"Do you intend to trap me in injustice?"

Fan Xi immediately started labeling.

When he labeled them, the emotions instantly settled.

They sat on the sofa.

"She attacked me first," Fu Ke Si said.

"She insulted me first," Si Jia Li said, also feeling aggrieved.

Fan Xi took a deep breath, and the faint fragrance calmed his mind.

Si Jia Li took off her thin coat and suddenly said, "Why is it so hot? Isn't the air conditioning on? Isn't there a temperature‑control system?"

Then, she drank a glass of water.

Fu Ke Si also got up, poured herself a glass of water, and poured one for Fan Xi.

There was life in the eyes.

"I invited you here this time hoping you would establish a long‑lasting and gentle communication channel, and not start fighting on the media at the slightest provocation. An Ni Hai Se Wei is the mediator I hired."

Fan Xi said, pointing at Hai Se Wei: "Talk to them about philosophy, about what it means to value harmony."

Hai Se Wei lifted her head at that moment, met Fan Xi's gaze, and her eyes inexplicably had a… silken quality.

Then, Hai Se Wei walked over.

Fan Xi made room, intending to establish a joint mediation mechanism with An Ni Hai Se Wei.

Hai Se Wei began discussing the importance of peace and how severely arguments damage their reputations….

Hai Se Wei spoke earnestly, and when she became excited, she would pat Fan Xi's knee.

She said that, in fact, the producers of that film were tired of the endless quarrels; they had even contacted her privately. But she didn't want to get involved, nor take advantage of them; she wanted to be friends with all of them….

Under Hai Se Wei's discussion, Fu Ke Si and Si Jia Li's emotions became increasingly stable, and they realized the possibility that cooperation benefits both, while conflict leads to mutual loss.

However, the atmosphere became somewhat strange.

Fan Xi also realized this.

…

…

Monday night, the fifth game between the Thunder and Kuaisuan.

Fan Xi arrived at the home court half a day early and deliberately practiced shooting.

However, his training focused on Stop-and-Go Jump Shot, but not the usual two‑stage Stop-and-Go Jump Shot; it was a strange one‑stage jump shot… swish! swish! swish!

The hit rate was quite good, and Fan Xi's release speed was fast.

This puzzled the staff on the sidelines; the manager named Bao Bo said to Fan Xi, "Jie Ke, why does this strange shooting style have such a high hit rate?"

Fan Xi smiled and said, "Do you know Si Di Fen Ku Li?"

"The one from the Golden State Warriors?" Bao Bo replied, noting that Ku Li was showing promise this season but not yet widely known.

Fan Xi nodded and said, "Yes, I learned from him."

On Saturday noon, under brainwave stimulation, Fan Xi saw a familiar figure: Si Di Fen Ku Li.

This caught Fan Xi off guard.

But the surprise soon overwhelmed him, leaving him a bit breathless.

He obtained what he had dreamed of: Si Di Fen Ku Li's hand‑eye coordination.

Earlier, Fan Xi had discussed with Si Di Fen Ku Li, asking why, when they practiced the same shooting technique, Ku Li was so fast and accurate. Ku Li said that with the help of Silicon Valley scientists, he confirmed his hand‑eye coordination is top‑tier among humans.

At that time, it made Fan Xi crave it intensely.

Now, what Fan Xi didn't expect is that his wish was fulfilled.

He got what he wanted most.

Yesterday he trained at home all day.

Indeed, his one-stage jump shot is becoming more accurate and faster; he feels he can already reach seventy to eighty percent of Curry's level, whether in shooting speed or shooting accuracy.

This has already formed practical combat ability.

Moreover, hand-eye coordination talent also enhances Fan Xi's other talent abilities.

Fan Xi's strength has increased further.

Most importantly, if the Thunder again uses the way they defended him in the game to deal with him, he will easily make the jump shot.

Fan Xi now has victory in hand, and he also has greater confidence against the Lakers and the Heat.

He believes he will definitely give them a surprise.

If I win both the regular season MVP and the Finals MVP this season, wouldn't I be the first person after Jordan?

Fan Xi thought happily.

Then he started practicing the folding layup. Hand-eye coordination ability also greatly helps Fan Xi's breakthrough and interior offense.

Fan Xi now has sufficient confidence in tonight's victory.

Everything is ready, just waiting for the east wind!

…