Chapter 474: He Asked a Strange Question

Huaiti Seda grew more courageous as the battle went on.

He was like a dark horse that suddenly surged, catching Heat off guard. Though he was the least prominent player on Kuaisuan, he nonetheless limited James's destruction in the paint.

James's tactical advantage was greatly reduced.

Even though they later substituted in Wade, they still failed to produce a better effect.

Kuaisuan increased its offensive pressure during this stretch, shooting at a high percentage; by the end of the third quarter, Kuaisuan led by 11 points.

The development far exceeded both sides' expectations; Huaiti Seda's breakout was like a black swan event for Heat, and they could not stop events from turning against them.

After several attempts to attack the paint that yielded no desired results, James switched to mid‑range shots, but his accuracy slipped. This sparked a bad chain reaction, and Wade's jump shots also lost their aim.

Even superstars have cold hands sometimes, but this time James and Wade both felt stiff.

Their hopeful Ray Allen also missed two three‑point opportunities.

That left Kuaisuan leading by 11 points at the end of the third quarter.

Frankly, Fan Xi was a bit 'depressed'.

Being ahead is a happy thing, but their secret weapon couldn't be used in this game. Moreover, judging by Heat's condition, they certainly wouldn't bring out their killer move either.

They might strategically abandon this game.

After the fourth quarter began, Fan Xi sat on the bench.

Maikelbang thought he could rest for a while; in the past Fan Xi would oppose such a suggestion, but tonight he felt he could rest.

He even selfishly thought: Heat, hurry up and close the gap.

The regret is... things didn't go as Fan Xi had expected.

Because Nowitzki stepped forward.

Nowitzki took the court with Little Jordan, Leonard, Hamilton, and Lu Biao.

At first, James tried to spark a comeback through defense. But in the first possession, Nowitzki executed a beautiful jump shot from beyond the three‑point line.

The three‑pointer landed, and the 'Now King' proudly raised three fingers.

Nowitzki has long harbored a grudge about 2011; many times he told Fan Xi: if your game‑winning shot hadn't happened back then, I would have led the Cowboys to the Finals, and Miami still couldn't have stopped us.

Tonight, he seemed ready to prove it.

Even without Fan Xi on the court, the current Kuaisuan lineup is no weaker than the Cowboys' roster back then.

Thus, for Nowitzki, there is no better chance to prove it.

James launched a ferocious counterattack.

He quickly generated a strong offense, darting and weaving in the paint, finishing with a layup.

But then Nowitzki went one‑on‑one with the ball, easily breaking through Ke Li Si Bo Shen's defense and sinking a jump shot.

The game turned into a San Ying Zhan Lü Bu, with the Miami Heat Big Three pitted against Nowitzki.

Fan Xi sat on the bench; he didn't even play.

But Kuaisuan still held its ground, maintaining a double‑digit lead.

From the first to the eighth minute of the fourth quarter, Kuaisuan remained ahead by 11 points.

Fan Xi still didn't play.

Nowitzki went on a killing spree in the fourth quarter, prompting Kenny Smith to mutter, 'Is Nowitzki trying to steal Jieke Fan's Finals MVP?'

Er... Johnson said beside him, 'I think Nowitzki wants to prove to Jieke Fan that if in 2011 Jieke Fan hadn't made the game‑winner, the Cowboys could still have taken down Heat.'

'In fact, last year's playoffs Nowitzki also had a god‑like performance. When facing Heat, he always displayed an ultra‑high level.'

While the TNT commentator spoke, Nowitzki drove into the paint; under Martin the ferocious defender's help defense, he used a soft floater to toss the ball into the hoop, pushing Kuaisuan's lead to 13 points.

At this point, Pat Riley became very passive.

He was in a dilemma. He had run through many scenarios, considered all possibilities, yet hadn't anticipated Huaiti Seda's breakout followed by Nowitzki's rampage.

With Fan Xi watching from the sidelines, he hesitated whether to reveal his killer move.

Because if he exposed it early, Fan Xi would have time to react; Fan Xi's mind is almost like a special ability—if he figured out a counter, wouldn't that be... wasted?

Huaiti Seda and Nowitzki certainly won't be this heroic every game, and James and Wade can't be this sluggish tonight.

Pat Riley knows Heat's condition is poor tonight; the gods aren't on their side.

So gradually he began to consider abandoning the game.

In any case, his plan only requires winning one of the two away games.

Thus, Pat Riley ultimately chose to hold his position.

He stayed still, while Kuaisuan remained as immovable as a mountain.

Fan Xi put on his coat early; he never intended to return to the court.

He smiled broadly while discussing Nowitzki's performance with Arenas; they unanimously decided to award Nowitzki an 'Old Yet Vigorous' prize.

Who could have imagined Nowitzki had been taking it easy all season, only to unleash a fierce output against the Miami Heat Big Three at the end?

In front of the TV, Mark Kuban was moved to tears, his hands trembling, muttering: 'Jieke Fan, Jieke Fan, you really are damned. If it weren't for you, we would have been champions in 2011. I even gave Nowitzki to you for free, letting you claim two more titles. How could I be so indebted?'

The game continued.

There weren't many ripples.

Wade seemed to finally find his touch in the last minute, sinking a three‑pointer. As he tried to finish a steal and continue attacking the rim, Lu Biao slipped past him, passed to Butler, who rushed forward and completed a dunk for the answer ball.

Butler is Wade's junior from college.

However, this season Wade's condition has been somewhat unstable; a lingering injury from the regular season flared up, and although it healed quickly, some effects are irreversible. Moreover, as James grows stronger, Wade has inevitably become more marginal on the tactical side.

By contrast, Butler has continued to improve this season; not only making daily strides, but also making a meteoric leap.

The super comeback Heat fans imagined never materialized; at the final moment they melted like ice in warm water.

Barkley thought the ending was a bit too quick: just like his performance in a hotel room.

"Heat is too tense tonight; they didn't show the energy they should have, they'll be fine in a couple of days," Barkley said. "Anyway this is a series, they have plenty of chances. And Nowitzki can't be this accurate every game, nor can James and Wade be this sluggish tonight."

Most importantly, Jieke Fan didn't play at all in the fourth quarter today, and I have ample reason to suspect that he's actually already injured.

Barkley is spouting nonsense in a dead‑serious manner.

Kennedy Smith ruthlessly called him out: "Is it possible that Kuaisuan doesn't need Jie Ke at all to beat the Heat? In my view, the Heat is no different from the Lakers, Thunder, or Rockets."

This made Barkley a bit angry, and he said, "You always deliberately create this atmosphere; you cultivate Kuaisuan's invincible image."

"I don't need to manage that. If the Heat can defeat Kuaisuan, then what are they waiting for?"

Kennedy's tongue is very sharp; ordinary people can't hope to gain the upper hand in verbal sparring.

Moreover, Kuaisuan is still the one winning now.

Nowitzki quickly appeared on camera; the TNT sideline reporter had intended to interview Fan Xi, but Fan Xi swiftly pulled Nowitzki over as a shield.

"Jie Ke didn't play in the fourth quarter because of our unique tacit understanding; he knows what I want to do. I've always told him that 2011 was when he stole my championship, and he might think I'm bragging, so I need a chance to prove it."

Nowitzki said.

He proved it.

In the fourth quarter, he withstood the Heat's counterattack.

He secured the win without Fan Xi.

Then the TNT reporter asked him a crucial question: "Your contract expires this year; will you re‑sign with Kuaisuan? As you said, your relationship with Jie Ke is very close, and you have great on‑court chemistry. If you continue the partnership, you might win more championships."

Nowitzki shook his head and said clearly, "This is my last season in Los Angeles; I'm going back to my hometown. Dallas is calling me, and I hope to return with two championship trophies. If I were to be teammates with Jieke Fan, I would want him to wear the Mavericks' jersey."

Nowitzki never drags things out; he expressed his thoughts clearly and directly.

This moved the Mavericks fans watching at home deeply.

Kuaisuan fans also bowed in respect.

Loyalty may sound outdated in this commercial league era, yet it remains one of humanity's highest moral standards.

Nowitzki does not wish to disappoint Dallas, so naturally Dallas will open its arms to welcome his return.

…

Le Bu Lang Zhang Si appeared at the post‑game press conference.

He can now face defeat calmly, because his heart is filled with a powerful aura.

"Our focus in the second half was insufficient; we lacked variation, which made our touch cold. We will reflect seriously, and in the next game you won't see us like this."

"Nowitzki is certainly very strong; I have always respected him, and he is one of the planet's best shooters."

"I have no opinion on his talking about 2011. He can say whatever he wants; that's his freedom."

"I cannot reveal more about tactics, but I'm sure this series won't follow Kuaisuan's script."

Le Bu Lang Zhang Si displayed great confidence at the post‑game conference.

He exuded an unyielding spirit.

This Le Bu Lang Zhang Si is terrifying.

Of course, Fan Xi gave a faint smile in front of the TV.

Then he turned off the TV.

Before sleeping, he habitually browsed the news on his phone, and it was Hollywood news… He couldn't help but worry about these updates, in case the backyard caught fire.

Hollywood has been relatively quiet lately; the last big incident was the feud between Megan Fox and Si Jia Li Johnson. After Fan Xi mediated the one‑on‑three confrontation between them, they seemed especially close, after all they are kindred spirits.

Fan Xi scrolled, about to toss his phone and sleep, when a rumor made his scalp tingle.

"Exclusive insider: Jennifer Aniston gave birth in New York."

Fan Xi subconsciously clicked to check; the story said a reporter had insider info that Zhan Ni Fu An Ni Si Dun gave birth to a baby boy tonight.

However, the comments below claimed it was a fabricated onion article, because Jennifer had recently recorded a charity song and produced a new TV drama; she didn't look pregnant, and at her age there was no need to give birth now.

Most importantly, Jennifer's recent romantic status, aside from the baseless rumors with Fan Xi, shows she has no attachment; who would she have a child with?

The netizens' comments calmed Fan Xi.

He also thought it was nonsense.

Especially when he saw a netizen comment: "This is very likely a deliberate hype, or an attempt to ride Jieke Fan's popularity; too many people want to link themselves to Jieke Fan."

Fan Xi strongly agreed; on his personal page, thousands of women post sexy photos for him each day.

This treats Fan Xi as what kind of person?

Fan Xi feels he is still somewhat aloof.

But netizens have long treated Fan Xi's personal page as an adult site, filled with female idols.

Fan Xi put down his phone, slept soundly, wearing a victor's smile.

The next morning, Fan Xi had breakfast, then exercised for an hour and a half.

After that he returned to the restaurant.

Then Lu Yuan and Chen Ye arrived; Chen Ye hadn't visited Fan Xi's house for a while, and he is now a father of a boy. After meeting Fan Xi, his life became blissful—wealth, love, and his son all flowed to him.

He now habitually talks about his child; Fan Xi chatted with him for half an hour and already knows that his son Tony wakes up at what time each morning, how many milliliters of milk he needs each feeding, that a frown means a bowel movement, and a mouth‑open head‑turn means he's hungry…

When a man becomes a father, there's always a period when he becomes talkative.

Kobe is the same… he's not a rookie father yet.

"Jie Ke, after taking Miami this year, you'll go to the Eastern next season. Which team do you want to join?" Lu Yuan and Fan Xi actually discussed some serious matters.

In his view, Kuaisuan beating the Heat is a given; although there may be setbacks, his basketball emperor will easily deal with Heaven's Chosen Son.

He is confident in Fan Xi.

"I don't know; I don't know much about the Eastern," Fan Xi said.

Then Fan Xi's phone vibrated; he picked it up and saw a text from Jennifer.

She asked Fan Xi a strange question.

…