When Wang Yi returned to the locker room, a security guard from the arena caught up with him at the entrance, holding one of Wang Yi's jerseys. "Wang, could I trouble you to sign this for me?"
Wang Yi was a little surprised that a security guard at the Grizzlies' home arena would ask for his autograph, especially after he had just beaten the Grizzlies in the Playoffs.
The guard noticed Wang Yi's confusion and explained, "Oh, it's for that little boy, Bess."
Wang Yi nodded.
He quickly signed his name on the jersey, writing it in the same graceful cursive he always used.
The guard thanked Wang Yi and left the locker room.
When Wang Yi returned, the players hadn't left yet. Everyone was happy about the win, chatting and laughing in the locker room.
The atmosphere seemed great, but Wang Yi keenly noticed that there was something forced about Westbrook's smile.
He thought about it, but couldn't figure out why.
So he waited a little while. When most of the others had left and Young Master Westbrook was about to go, Wang Yi asked him:
"Hey, man, you don't seem very happy."
Westbrook shook his head. "It's not that I'm unhappy. I'm glad we won. I just feel a little down because I couldn't get on the court during regulation."
Then he shook his head again. "You go on ahead. I'm going to get some extra practice in. I'm getting old. I can't run as fast or jump as high, so I need to get more accurate with my shot. The trouble is, I've played this long and still haven't developed much of a jumper. Sigh. While I've still got some strength left, I might as well get in more practice."
Shaking his head, Westbrook picked up a