Chapter Thirty-Six: Visiting as a Guest

  This was an unexpected game, and the Lakers became a team centered around Ye Feng.

  Durant scored 37 points against the Bucks on November 24, while Yi Jianlian played for 39 minutes, making 18 of 26 shots and 7 of 10 free throws to score 43 points, grab 11 rebounds and make 1 assist. No steals, no blocks, he suddenly turned from a defensive specialist into a scoring king.

  Experts have been praising Ye Feng. Those who said he couldn't shoot also shut up, as he made 6 three-pointers from the high post in this game. If there's still a problem, it's his passing awareness - after playing for 41 minutes, he only had 1 assist, and whenever he got the ball, he just shot.

  "After the game, Jackson lavished praise on Ye. 'As people have seen, he has fully adapted to the NBA rhythm and is an indispensable member of the Lakers.'"

  Kobe scored only 14 points, but he had 14 assists. The last time Kobe had 14 assists was on February 12, 2002 against the Wizards, when he set his career high with 15 assists. Although Kobe didn't score much, Lakers fans weren't disappointed because he had 8 assists to Pau Gasol, and people were happy to see them play in sync while praising Kobe's selflessness. Bynum played poorly today, scoring only 8 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, as the Clippers relaxed on Pau and focused on him instead.

  During an interview with a reporter, Kobe was asked: "If Ye Feng can perform like this in every game, will you reduce your shooting and put passing first?"

  Kobe laughed and said, "Do you think I don't want to share the number of shots? Today, Ye's shooting was very decisive, with a high hit rate, and I'm glad he had such an excellent performance. He was simply unbelievable, that dunk when he came on court, we were all stunned. He should participate in the slam dunk contest, I think he can win it."

  Reporter: "May I ask what are the Lakers' goals for this season?"

  "Championship. I think the Lakers are ready to rise again," Kobe said excitedly. "I was exhausted on offense in the past few seasons, but now that Bynum has made progress and with the addition of Yao, our bench depth has been strengthened, we already have the strength to impact the championship."

  When reporters interviewed Ye Feng, one of them asked: "Ye, you made the most shots in the team today, scoring 43 points and breaking Durant's rookie scoring record. What do you think?"

  "I'm as happy as if I'd won the lottery every time the team wins, and today is no exception. Although I've never actually won the lottery, I think that's what it feels like. Also, I want to thank the coach and my teammates for their trust in me."

  Many people laughed at the press conference. A reporter asked: "We saw that you had an exchange with Kobe in the third quarter, what did you say?"

  Yue Feng smiled and said, "Okay, I'll repeat what was originally said. When we were taking a break, I had already gotten into the habit of shooting and didn't want to stop. So I told Kobe, 'Big brother, my condition is great today, can you pass me a few more balls?' Kobe said, 'Just keep shooting, give up all your chances, even if it means breaking my record of 81 points.' I said, 'Then I'll have to get the Clippers players to pass me the ball too.'"

  The reporters all burst out laughing again. Ye Feng didn't forget to flatter Kobe a bit. The 81 points in a single game is the best proof of Kobe's scoring ability, and many people still say that he abandoned team basketball and taught bad things to young kids. Now that Ye Feng mentioned the 81 points, his 14 assists in this game seem even more selfless. Kobe felt very comfortable hearing these words.

  Reporter: "You have had very few assists in these games, will you increase your passing in the future?"

  "It depends on the coach's arrangement, I'm happy to pass the ball."

  Reporter: "We all know you were born in the United States, do you have an English name?"

  Ye Feng smiled and said, "No, although I was born in the United States, I am Chinese. I like the name my parents gave me. After losing my memory, this is also the first name that came to mind. If you want me to have an English name, then call me Hungry Wolf, I like this nickname."

  Yao Ming did not give himself an English name after arriving in the United States, which was seen as a patriotic gesture. Ye Feng knew what Chinese journalists liked to hear, and with just a few simple words, he could raise his status among Chinese basketball fans by another notch.

  Some people also asked about his relationship with Aier, hinting that there was something fishy going on in the competition.

  "Life is life, work is work, everyone thinks too much."

  He knew that no matter what, some people would say it was a fixed game. Even if the Clippers and Lakers had given it their all and the game had come down to a last-second shot, there still would have been conspiracy theorists. So why bother worrying about it?

  After the press conference, Ye Feng met Ailier outside the stadium.

  "Airi asked: "What did you say to Soton today? He just let you shoot like that.""

  Ye Feng smiled and said: "I told him that both my wife and father-in-law are waiting at the scene to watch me score, he believed it."

  Ellie burst out laughing. "No wonder he kept looking over at us during the game, I'm impressed. Maybe my dad will talk to you about it, he guessed that you might be using this method to threaten Sutton, and now I suspect you'll become like him in the future."

  Am I like Old Sterling? That's a lot of lawsuits. Ye Feng smiled and asked: "Where are we going?"

  "Go home. He's waiting for us at home, you call Gabriella to let her know so she won't worry, and you're staying at my place tonight." Ariel sighed.

  Going home on the first meeting? Ye Feng guessed that Old Strling might want to see how their relationship was. In order to pretend to be a couple, would Ariel and I have the opportunity to live in the same room? Like those melodramatic TV dramas... No, Strling is a pervert among perverts, whether their relationship is real or fake, there's no reason he can't tell, this trip will probably be very interesting.

  Ellie poked him in the waist and asked, "What are you smiling at? Are you thinking of something weird? Just because I let you stay overnight doesn't mean we'll share a room. There are plenty of guest rooms in the villa."

  "Can she read minds?" Ye Feng smiled awkwardly: "Haha, I wasn't thinking that, just think your dad is a very interesting person. I like the people in your Sterling family."

  Airi pointed and said: "You drive, it looks better this way."

  "Alright." Ye Feng nodded and bowed deliberately, putting on a very obedient appearance, and took the key.

  Airi gave an address that was a rich villa area in Los Angeles, Ye Feng was very familiar with the route and still listened carefully, immediately driving towards there.

  "Behave for a bit longer." Ariel still wasn't reassured and reminded her once more.

  Perhaps tonight's performance will determine whether she can take over the Clippers in the future, and to deceive Donald, she looks a bit nervous. Ariel rarely shows such an expression.

  You underestimate me. If I wasn't good at getting along with people, how could I be a good journalist? I've seen too many stars and big shots.

  The car soon arrived at a villa estate. Sterling wasn't the only one living here, there were also butlers, gardeners, maids and so on, eighteen people in total. This villa was far more luxurious than Ye Feng's imagination, with the main building divided into the master villa, guest villa and butler villa, and outside there was a luxurious swimming pool, a tennis court, a basketball court, four parking spaces and two garages, worth $130 million. What kind of villa is this? It's simply a palace! Ye Feng couldn't help but admire the luxury of the rich, Ailier was born in such a family, whoever marries her would be marrying a mountain of gold.

  These years Donald Sterling made a lot of money, as a businessman he is very successful. His main business is stocks, real estate, and the team only occupies a small part. The benefit of the team is to bring him fame, it's a living advertisement.

  Ye Feng parked the car at the main villa entrance, and got out with Ailier. The staff members at home greeted them: "Miss, the boss is waiting for you in the hall."

  Airi walked beside Ye Feng and whispered: "Hold me, it's too fake to be so far apart."

  Ye Feng didn't mince words either, and wrapped Ailier in his arms, laughing: "I didn't expect your waist to be so slender."

  "Can I be as slender as you?" Ariel pinched his waist and said softly, "Look at yours."

  Sterling was in the living room, wearing a floral nightgown, and when he saw the two enter, he smiled and said, "Hello, Ye, nice to see you."

  "Nice to meet you, Donald."

  Americans like to address each other by first name, showing equality between people. Among familiar people, they call each other's names without mentioning their surnames. Everyone calls Ye Feng "Ye" because his translated name has the surname first. Sterling was very affectionate, so Ye Feng didn't stand on ceremony with him either.

  Sterling laughed and said, "You two have been in the news a lot lately. Lakers are hungry wolves, Clippers are princesses, it's quite an interesting nickname. Sit down, I'll get someone to prepare some midnight snacks and red wine, let's chat while we eat."

  Sterling is not as expected. Ye Feng thought that as the elder of a large family, there would be many rules and etiquette, but Sterling was very casual, and after shaking hands with Ye Feng, he leaned back on the sofa and laughed: "Ye, you played a great game today, I really didn't expect you to play so well, what did you say to Sutton?"

  Ye Feng smiled and said: "Airi told me, it's almost the same as what you guessed. So today's data isn't my true level. Compared to offense, I'm more skilled at defense."

  The three of them talked about basketball for a long time and got along very well. Ariel rarely showed her feminine side today, and didn't say anything that sounded masculine.

  Sterling and Yaya Toure had a couple of drinks, said he'd never spoken that much to any player before, didn't like Brand because he was black.

  "I dislike two kinds of people: those who are prejudiced against other races and blacks." Stirling Silliphant said.

  "Hmm, very interesting." Ye Feng said with a smile.

  When the maid took away the food and wine glasses, Sterling smiled slightly and suddenly asked: "Yeh, why are you willing to be friends with Eli? I'm curious, you know she likes women, but you're still willing to help her cover it up, report it in newspapers and magazines, let the whole world know that you two are a pair. Can you tell me what your purpose is?"

  Finally getting to the point, as expected. Ye Feng was stunned for a moment before responding: "Because I like her."

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