Wang Zhizhi's Phone Call

At the Cavaliers' season press conference.

"LeBron, what do you think of the team's performance today?" a reporter asked.

James thought for a moment and then said, "We played well enough, we just lacked teamwork."

"What do you think of Li Chen's performance with the Knicks?"

"First of all, congratulations to the Knicks for tying the Lakers ' 33-game winning streak. As for Li Chen's performance today... he played exceptionally well and is someone I should learn from."

"Also, he's actually one of my idols besides Michael. I really like the way he plays, and I'll try my best to surpass him," James said firmly.

"We believe that day will eventually come," a reporter said.

The Knicks left Cleveland after their post-game press conference.

During this time, Li Chen heard from a reporter that James actually regarded him as an idol, which made him feel strange.

Back at his villa in New York, Li Chen noticed, in the dim light, that there was another person in his room.

Who else could this be but Avril?

This was a truly unexpected surprise, but seeing that she was sleeping soundly, Li Chen didn't wake her.

But as soon as Li Chen lay down, Avril, still half-asleep, hugged him.

"Honey, you're back!" she asked groggily.

Li Chen blinked, a devilish smile playing on his lips.

"This... this... Madam, you've mistaken me for someone else. What are you doing in my house?"

Upon hearing this, Avril, still in a daze and about to kiss Li Chen, froze.

Her large eyes snapped open, and at the same time, she quickly pushed Li Chen away, asking warily and somewhat fearfully, "Who... who are you?"

Li Chen couldn't help but burst out laughing.

Hearing the unrestrained laughter, Avril snapped out of her daze, "Aaaaaah! Li Chen, you bastard, I'll fight you to the death!"

She fought with Li Chen like a tigress.

The next day, Li Chen pinched Avril, who was still lying in bed, and said, "It's already eight o'clock, why aren't you up yet?"

Avril mumbled something indistinctly, and Li Chen couldn't make out what she was saying.

He shook his head, then walked out of the room and into the garage.

The villa that Dolan gave to Li Chen is very close to Madison Square Garden, only about a 20-minute drive away.

The Hudson River flows quietly in the early morning, the sunlight shining on its surface, creating a golden, shimmering expanse.

The trees along the riverbank, their green leaves shimmering in the morning light, seemed to be showing off their vitality.

The Statue of Liberty stands tall on the Manhattan skyline in the distance, its silhouette appearing particularly sacred in the morning sunlight.

The Hudson River and the Statue of Liberty in the early morning add a touch of tranquility and beauty to the city.

Li Chen arrived at the Training Gym and began Li Chen day's training. In the afternoon, Li Chen received a call from Li Ruping.

Upon arriving at the Training Gym, Li Chen began his day's training. In the afternoon, he received a call from Li Chen Li Ruping. "Hey! Sister Ping, what's wrong?"

Li Chen asked this question because Li Ruping usually wouldn't call him.

"Boss, Zhang Yiming wants to see you."

"Hey, hey, hey! Sister Ping, didn't I tell you to just call me by my name? Calling me 'boss' just sounds awkward."

Li Ruping gave a soft "hmm," feeling a warmth in her heart.

Then Li Chen asked in confusion, "What does he want with me?"

"It's about discussing shares," Li Ruping explained simply.

"Sister Ping, you can talk to him. The shareholding cannot be less than 50%. Also, tell him that we will not participate in the company's decision-making; we can only earn dividends."

"Li Chen, we can do it ourselves, why do we need to find that Zhang Yiming?" Li Ruping asked, puzzled.

"Sister Ping, I'm just a basketball player, don't think of me as someone so talented."

Li Ruping: "..."

Li Ruping scoffed at Li Chen's words, because in her heart, Li Chen was the most talented man.

She greatly admired this man who was three years younger than her.

Li Chen then learned about the current situation in China and some details about the Village BA.

"By the way, how's the school construction going?" Li Chen suddenly asked.

Construction will begin next spring.

Li Chen nodded. "Sister Ping, thank you for your hard work. Don't worry, I won't treat you unfairly."

Li Ruping gave a soft "hmm".

A moment later, Li Chen hung up the phone.

He had just hung up the phone when it rang again.

Li Chen was somewhat surprised to see that it was Wang Zhizhi calling.

After the call connected, he jokingly said, "Why did you suddenly decide to call me, Brother Zhizhi? I thought you'd forgotten about me since we're not on the same team."

Li Chen's teasing remark made Wang Zhizhi a little embarrassed, since he had called to ask for a favor.

Wang Zhizhi's silence surprised Li Chen, but he immediately realized that Wang Zhizhi might have something to ask of him.

This was awkward, because his joke sounded like he was mocking Wang Zhizhi.

This left him speechless; he had only said it casually, how could it have come to this...?

Is it really true, as Kobe said, that his own words are poisonous?

Lost in thought, Li Chen cut to the chase. "Brother Zhizhi, just say what you need. I won't refuse to help if I can."

Wang Zhizhi knew that Li Chen didn't mean to tease him, but the fact that he hadn't been in contact for a long time and now Li Chen was asking for a favor made him feel a little awkward.

Finally, he asked, "Li Chen, does your Knicks need a center?"

Wang Zhizhi asked this question because he knew that the Knicks had traded center Muhammad to the Sherlock Holmes, and that the Knicks should now be without a center, hence his question.

Li Chen was a little surprised, "What's wrong, Brother Zhizhi?"

"My contract has expired, but they are only willing to offer me an annual salary of 1.4 million yuan, which I cannot accept," Wang Zhizhi explained.

The current Wang Zhizhi is not the same Wang Zhizhi as before; at the very least, a three- or four-million-yuan annual salary should not be a problem.

Although Alvin Gentry would certainly not refuse his former player Wang Zhizhi, Li Chen did not make any promises and cautiously said, "I need to ask Coach Alvin about this."

"Li Chen, thank you."

"From what you're saying, it's not a big deal. Besides, it all depends on Coach Alvin's decision."

Although Li Chen said that, Wang Zhizhi knew that there shouldn't be any problems with the matter.

"By the way, Brother Zhizhi, how's it going with your return to the National Team?"

Upon hearing Li Chen ask about this, Wang Zhizhi perked up and said, "Director Chen said that as long as I perform well this year, I can return to the National Team next year."

Li Chen nodded. "Then congratulations to Brother Zhizhi."

In fact, as a soldier, returning to the National Team was his obsession, which is why Wang Zhizhi shamelessly sought out Li Chen.

Because he plays alongside Li Chen, he can better showcase his competitive level, which will increase his chances of returning to the National Team.

Although the reason is unknown, it is a fact acknowledged by Elton Brand, Corey Maggette, and other teammates.