Chapter 653: Mind Games Meet Mind Games

Fan Xi's rest time is getting less and less; to him, the game feels more like rest.

As Liu Yifei moved into her Beverly Hills mansion, Fan Xi, whenever he returned home, she would arrange for Old Two, Old Four, and Old Five to come over; if it weren't for the eldest, Troy, having gone to the United Kingdom, she would definitely have called him too.

In fact, they have recently been arranging to charter a plane to bring Yun Er from Hanguo to Los Angeles for her confinement.

Fan Xi still couldn't stop it.

He could only plan to buy another mansion nearby.

So, when Fan Xi heard that the Warriors had won Game Six, he had never disliked Curry's three-pointers so much.

According to Durant, Curry, using Bogut's moving screen, hit two consecutive threes to kill the game.

By the time Fan Xi opened the website to check the news, it was flooded with Durant's criticism of the Warriors.

"I really wish we also had the privilege of a moving screen."

"I will always be a Thunder person."

"If the Warriors want to lead the era in this way, then the new era is just a joke."

"I don't mean to disrespect the Warriors, but I truly believe their interior can only provide emotional value and illegal moves."

"The Warriors need a heaven-sent great person; only a true superstar can lead them out of the mire."

"If Zhuimeng Green cannot control his incessant, self-important psychological tactics, the Warriors will never win a championship."

"Their chance of breaking out of the West this year is zero."

"If I open the Death Note, how would you respond?"

This is Durant's nine tweets posted within five minutes; intense online activity is no empty boast.

In his presence, JR Smith looks like a model youth who could win the Kennedy Citizen Award. Actually this season, JR Smith has hardly gotten into any trouble; he's been idle.

The Western semifinals went to a Game Seven.

Fan Xi sat in front of the TV, watching the Game Seven showdown together with Durant, Jokic, Mili Xiqi, and JR Smith.

Jokic's girlfriend returned home.

JR Smith hasn't had any dates lately.

Mili Xiqi's wife is still pregnant with triplets.

Durant, meanwhile, goes to see Rihanna when she visits the traditional Chinese doctor to adjust her body; he usually only goes to see her at around 4 a. m.

"So what about you, Jie Ke? Why do you have time to watch the game?"

Durant asked Fan Xi.

Fan Xi stammered: "That's a long story; we have to go back five years."

The game started, and Durant let Fan Xi off the hook. But everyone could probably guess that, with so many girlfriends, it's normal for Fan Xi not to want to go home.

Actually, Fan Xi not wanting to go home really isn't what they thought.

Fan Xi thinks the process is too troublesome—having to walk from one room to another… why can't it be like Donnie Yen?

After the game started, Fan Xi received a message from Selena, this American top idol; not knowing what she was thinking, she actually sent a voice message cooing to Fan Xi: "Jie Ke, I suddenly feel like becoming a mom."

Fortunately, Fan Xi heard it in the bathroom; otherwise, it would surely have sparked a gossip storm.

Fan Xi hurriedly advised the female idol to prioritize her career and her fans. Being an idol is youth food; marrying and having kids doesn't that mean restricting one's own development?

After much persuasion, he finally talked her out of the idea of having children, but he couldn't avoid promising her that in the coming June she would take off no fewer than five times, and also once at the end of May.

What else could be done?

You can always squeeze time if you try.

For a man, working five jobs a day is quite normal.

Durant isn't also, while enduring grueling training day after day, typing on the internet—typing tens of thousands of letters a day is quite normal.

The Game Seven showdown was at the Warriors' home court.

The Thunder played quite sensibly tonight, but being sensible didn't help much.

They were too stiff.

Westbrook couldn't make shots, and Leonard's touch was also off.

The two could only rely on defense to delay the Warriors from widening the gap.

That wasn't a long-term solution.

Durant watched anxiously; he always had feelings for the Thunder, after all, it was his first professional team.

Although Westbrook often disagreed with him in bed, he was nonetheless Durant's first superstar teammate.

Moreover, their private relationship wasn't as bad as the media rumored; two decent people—how bad could their relationship get?

He wished he could jump straight into the TV, put on the Thunder's jersey, and fight the Warriors.

But that was obviously impossible.

The Thunder fell further and further behind.

In the second half, Westbrook went on a rampage, which actually gave the Thunder a lifeline.

Then Leonard finally found his touch, took over a stretch of play, and in the third quarter even gave them a lead.

But in the fourth quarter, Curry stepped up, hitting consecutive ultra-long threes that stretched the Thunder's defense to infinity.

Thereafter, Thompson found an opportunity, and Iguodala made a crucial block.

With less than a minute left, the game lost its suspense as the Warriors burst forth, expanding the lead to double digits.

In the end, the Warriors won 123–113.

They advanced to the Western Conference Finals, where their opponents were the Los Angeles Clippers.

Westbrook and Leonard were very disappointed; although their rookie-season partnership had taken them to the Western Conference Semifinals, they had come tantalizingly close to the Western Conference Finals… but ultimately fell just short.

After the game, they said with endless regret: "If we had found our touch earlier, perhaps we would be the ones celebrating."

Westbrook said that.

Then he took responsibility: "I didn't play well enough, I didn't work hard enough. Next season, you'll see a completely new me."

Leonard's personality is rather gloomy; he hardly spoke while with the Kuaisuan. But this time, he actually said on TV: "Jie Ke, help me get revenge!"

Fan Xi watched Leonard's sincere, eager eyes through the TV.

Damn it!

Jokic slapped his thigh: "Fuck!"

Mili Xiqi was also excited, he had to get revenge for Leonard.

After all these years of revolutionary camaraderie, Leonard got screwed over out there—can we not help him get revenge? Would we still be human?

The Serbian brothers were very excited.

Durant then became even more excited, because Dream Green taunted Durant on TV: "Did you see that? Kevin Durant, this game is dedicated to you. We can still easily beat your team, and next we'll come to your door. Kevin, hiding behind Jieke Fan as a coward, you can't escape punishment. I've got you!! Hahahaha."

Dream Green's lewd absurdity was endless.

Durant was shaking with anger.

Fan Xi said to him: "This guy is messing with your mindset; he knows your weak point, you need to stay calm."

Durant is an emotional person.

Green is also someone very good at doing these things.

So when these two meet, it's like a turtle staring at mung beans—big eyes locking onto small eyes.

Durant was fine before Fan Xi and the others left.

Then, the next morning in the sports news he saw: "Durant angrily lashed out at Dream Green late at night, typing furiously online 37 posts… This showdown is about to become a life-or-death battle between Green and Durant."

Uh…

Fan Xi sighed.

He thought, Rihanna must have had a rough night last night.

A Du surely took out his grudge against Green on her belly.

"Jie Ke, I'll definitely take him down! I'll definitely crush the Warriors!" Durant found Fan Xi at the practice facility and said, unusually excited.

Fan Xi teased him: "Aren't you still planning to join the Warriors?"

Even if I join the Warriors, I'll have to beat them into submission; otherwise they'd think I'm just there to cling to their coattails. Given Green's despicable personality, he'll surely play tricks. Only by tearing his mouth apart will he dare not spew shit at me.

Durant said this with a fierce aura.

Fan Xi said, "Okay."

But he demanded that Durant not get carried away, and follow his instructions.

No matter what Green spouts at him during the game.

Durant nodded seriously this time.

…

The Western Conference finals against the Warriors arrived as scheduled.

To be honest, these two teams aren't on the same level.

But for Fan Xi, this game had two important goals. First: get revenge for Leonard. Very simple.

Second, let A Du hold his head high, let A Du's play make Green fearful at the sight of him.

That one is harder.

After all, Green is still quite shameless; ordinary insults just bounce off his thick skin.

Moreover, this guy is especially the type who bullies the weak and fears the strong. In front of Fan Xi he wouldn't utter a single trash talk, because he knows Fan Xi is an impregnable wall—anyone who angers him with a word is in danger. But A Du is famously sensitive, easily provoked. Offending him merely results in him scoring high and slapping you in the face; Green doesn't care anyway. Low risk, high reward.

Capela won the jump shot over Bogut.

Fan Xi grabbed the ball and sprinted; he was tonight's starting point guard.

In the playoffs, most games the Clippers' starting lineup was: Fan Xi, Greek Little Monster, Durant, Capela, Jokic.

Pure talent domination, pure height domination.

The Warriors' starting lineup was Curry, Iguodala, Tang Pu Sen, Green, Bogut.

Fan Xi dribbled to the top of the arc, facing Iguodala coming to defend; he quickly changed direction, a powerful acceleration shoved Iguodala aside… Defending Fan Xi has long been a problem on the level of the Goldbach conjecture.

Because Fan Xi's ball-handling is extremely strong, and his physique is extremely strong. Most people aren't as fast as him, don't have his explosiveness, aren't as strong, lack his versatility… Fan Xi can crush opponents in any single aspect, and combined, it's even more so.

Fan Xi broke through the defense, went straight into the paint, then leapt high; Green happened to be helping there, he gritted his teeth and went up to block… puff!

Fan Xi came down hard, directly slamming Green to the ground… boom!

A dunk occurred.

Green couldn't stop it at all; he was like a cramp‑stricken toad, unable to hop.

"How do you like that dunk?" Fan Xi asked the flustered Green.

Green wore a full‑face smile and said: "Really great, Jie Ke, I've never offended you before."

Fan Xi thought for a moment; this guy really hadn't offended him.

There's a Chinese saying: don't strike a smiling face; Green has mastered the art of flattery.

Fan Xi felt he had nowhere to strike; this guy is slippery.

No wonder he can always get Durant rattled.

He's basically impervious to oil and salt.

Fan Xi glanced at him: "Watch it next time."

"Next time I definitely won't jump; I'll just stand there and draw an offensive foul on you." Green said, showing respect to Fan Xi while still slipping in a little yin‑yang jab.

This guy.

Fan Xi said to Curry: "Nobody in your locker room can stand up to him, right?"

Curry didn't understand.

He brought the ball past half-court, and Fan Xi personally guarded him.

But he passed the basketball to Green, then he himself started moving quickly.

Soon Green passed the ball to Clay, and Clay made a jump shot.

Durant failed to defend him.

"Kevin, your defense hasn't improved at all. Clay Thompson getting past you is like passing through air." Green said to Durant: "Do you get weak-kneed just seeing me, and even my passes?"

Hearing this, Fan Xi felt uncomfortable; he glared at Green, and Green looked at Fan Xi with another expression.

This guy switches effortlessly.

After crossing half-court, Fan Xi drove with the ball and then passed it to Durant.

Durant shot with his hand and scored.

He couldn't help but counter Green: "You have the ability to come defend me."

"I'm a power forward; why should I guard you? Scoring is your job—you're the scoring champion, so what's strange about you getting two points?"

Green continued to attack Durant.

Who would have thought Green could be so shameless?

The game continued.

The Kuaisuan kept the lead, Durant also scored plenty, but Green kept chattering in his face.

It made him feel awful.

Fan Xi dunked on Green twice, but each time Green acted as if nothing happened, even able to laugh and talk with Fan Xi.

That mental toughness—you can't not be impressed.

So, during the first-quarter timeout, Fan Xi couldn't help giving Durant a pep talk: Why get angry at such a jerk? He's basically a stone in a latrine, you're a museum artifact—when you see him, you should stay far away.

"But I'm just not happy," Durant said. "I can't let him be so smug."

That's hard to do.

Even if you dunk him, Green can still laugh.

"What is this guy most proud of?" Mili Xiqi suddenly asked.

"Is it defense, or maybe his high-post passing ability?" JR Smith said.

"Kevin, I'll go take care of him. I want him to see what a real scoundrel is." Mili Xiqi patted his chest and said: "After it's done, just arrange a few bottles of red wine for me."

"A whole truckload is fine," Durant said. "As long as I can break that guy's mentality, I'll do anything! Dakota."

"Then leave it to me." Mili Xiqi was very confident.

Then he looked toward Fan Xi.

Fan Xi glanced at Maikelbang, who was eating melon seeds nearby: "What are you spacing out for? Get it arranged."

Maikelbang gave a simple smile and hurriedly put Mili Xiqi into the game.

Mili Xiqi hasn't played power forward in a long time; he's always been the team's backup center.

This season, with Jokic's playing time increasing, he hasn't gotten much court time either.

So much so that Fan Xi forgot—this guy makes Howard break down every time they meet. He's also a master at messing with people's mentality.

Moreover, he does it at a higher level.

Beep!

The whistle blew.

Mili Xiqi walked onto the court, bringing Durant's eager hopes to Green's side.

He walked over and spat a mouthful of saliva at Green, although most of it was just air.

"Damn, here we go again having to mark that dumbass."

Mili Xiqi came up and, in his Serbian accent, uttered a polite greeting.

This really pissed Green off; he thought: "You damn waterboy, acting so arrogant in front of me."

He stared at Mili Xiqi.

Mili Xiqi, however, put on a look of not bothering with him, while also reaching out to hold him and ask Fan Xi for the ball.

…