Absolutely Not, Definitely Not

The host adjusted his posture and then, revealing his true intentions, asked, "Mr. Miller, what are your thoughts on the next game where the Clippers will challenge the Pacers?"

Reggie Miller thought for a moment and replied, "Both teams have a chance to win, but we Pacers have a slight advantage, after all, we are playing at home, which gives us a certain edge."

Although Reggie Miller was confident in defeating the Clippers, the matter of Wolf King Garnett had been blown out of proportion by these reporters, causing Garnett immense embarrassment. He wouldn't let these reporters catch him off guard.

The next day, at four in the morning.

Li Chen once again arrived at the Staples Center.

However, to his surprise, Kobe was practicing.

"Kobe, we are indeed kindred spirits, true confidants!" Li Chen teased intentionally.

Hearing this, Kobe's beautiful, picture-perfect fadeaway jump shot clanked off the rim.

Kobe felt an urge to pick up the basketball and smash it directly into this scoundrel's face, gritting his teeth and thinking, It's all because of you.

If it weren't for you, you scoundrel, constantly harassing me in the middle of the night, would I be up practicing at this ungodly hour? Sigh! My Vanessa is even angry.

Although he disliked Li Chen immensely, the strong-willed Blacksmith wouldn't say it out loud.

He put on a cool expression and said, "I'm not like Shaq, that fat guy who's content with mediocrity. I want to surpass Michael. I want to win more championships."

Li Chen gave Kobe a thumbs-up at the opportune moment and said, "You can do it, keep it up."

These words made Kobe feel much better, even half of his anger disappeared.

"By the way, Kobe, I watched a video of Iverson's crossovers yesterday and had an epiphany. How about we..."

Hearing this, Kobe's lips curled slightly. He loved nothing more than dominating this annoying guy who disturbed his sleep.

He immediately threw the basketball to Li Chen and said, "You go first."

Li Chen didn't stand on ceremony, took the ball, and smiled, "Here I come."

Kobe's lips curled slightly, thinking, It's not the first time I've dominated you. Who doesn't know who's who?

Just then, the basketball slammed hard onto the floor with a heavy thud. Immediately after, Kobe felt Li Chen weave left and right, and a gust of wind swept past him.

Kobe, who hadn't been paying much attention to Li Chen, stood frozen on the spot. Fast, too fast. This reminded him of Iverson.

At the same time, the sound of the basketball hitting the net and then the floor jolted Kobe out of his shock.

After astonishing Kobe, Li Chen felt incredibly pleased. He had been thoroughly outplayed by Kobe just a few days ago.

Li Chen asked intentionally, "How was that? Pretty good, right?"

Kobe nodded and said calmly, "It was alright. But if I start defending seriously, you're still no match."

Li Chen blinked and looked at Kobe, "How about we go again?"

Kobe's expression immediately became a little unnatural. However, he was a person who never admitted defeat. How could he possibly concede to someone he had completely dominated just a few days ago? Impossible, absolutely impossible.

So, the two began their duel again. This time, Kobe was focused, having entered his most concentrated state.

The rhythmic thuds of the basketball hitting the floor echoed.

Just then, the sound suddenly stopped. Immediately after, Li Chen took a step forward, his shoulders swaying left and right.

Kobe's expression was extremely focused, his eyes locked onto Li Chen's movements.

Left side, or right side? Suddenly, Kobe's eyes lit up. It must be the left side.

However, just as he determined Li Chen's breakthrough route, Li Chen, like a gust of wind, crossed Kobe by half a step in the blink of an eye.

Kobe cursed inwardly, What the hell is this kid? Why is his explosiveness suddenly so strong? This isn't scientific! Damn it, damn it, did you take something? At this moment, Kobe felt an urge to drag Li Chen for a drug test.

Simultaneously, Kobe gritted his teeth and chased after Li Chen. Although he had been broken through, he wouldn't give up.

As Li Chen drove to the basket, he attempted a small floater, but he didn't control the force well, and the ball hit the rim and bounced out. Kobe, with quick hands, grabbed the rebound and, without hesitation, leaped up, slamming the ball forcefully into the hoop.

Only then did Kobe feel a little better and said calmly:

"Your drive is good. I couldn't stop you even with eighty percent of my strength, but your shooting is still as bad as ever. I really don't know how such a trash player like you performs so well in every game. Relying on luck isn't a long-term strategy; you still need to practice hard."

Damn lucky Emperor, Kobe added inwardly.

Li Chen pursed his lips, putting on a show of being receptive to advice.

Then, Teacher Kobe diligently explained his experience to Li Chen during their one-on-one, attempting to use his basketball knowledge to make Li Chen forget about what had just happened.

Kobe succeeded. Li Chen had already forgotten about breaking through his defense.

Two hours later, Kobe watched Li Chen's retreating figure as he left the Staples Center, gritting his teeth.

This scoundrel, he's too detestable. No, I can't let this continue. This guy's improvement rate is too terrifying. No, I absolutely cannot let that scoundrel surpass me.

Thinking this, he felt a pang of melancholy. My Vanessa!

Meanwhile, Li Chen was very happy today. He realized Kobe was truly a good person! No, a good teacher. Teacher Kobe, my favorite.

As he hailed a taxi, he suddenly thought to himself that it was time he owned his own car.

On the way, Li Chen pondered but couldn't decide what car to buy. Upon returning to Paravilla Stadium, he decided to ask Bill Duffy, a local, for advice.

Bill Duffy then patted his chest and guaranteed to get Li Chen a good car.

After hanging up the phone, he suddenly thought of another matter.

The original owner's parents borrowed money when they sent him abroad, so the family is still in a lot of debt.

Thinking of this, Li Chen felt a pang of emotion.

Back then, the original owner had a huge falling out with his parents over basketball, and in the end, his parents sent him to study in America. But the original owner never even reported to school; instead, he...

When the bank opened, Li Chen wired $200,000 USD to his parents' bank account.

Afterward, he dialed the phone number he had been dreading.

A moment later, the call was answered, but no voice came from the receiver, only a rustling echo.

Li Chen's expression was conflicted. He opened his mouth several times, then closed it, but in the end, he couldn't utter those two words.

"I've sent the money. Pay off the family's debts first!"

"Are... are you okay over there? Keep the scholarship money!" Li Mingdong said with concern, his voice a little hoarse.

Hearing these caring words, Li Chen felt a surge of emotion, but Li Mingdong's hoarse voice made him frown. He asked gravely, "Did something happen at home?"

"No, no, nothing!" Li Mingdong denied urgently.

After recalling the original owner's memories, Li Chen seemed to understand something.

"Did those relatives pressure our family to repay the money again?"

Li Mingdong thought for a moment, then finally let out a low, helpless "Mm."

Hearing that it was such a small matter, Li Chen's heart relaxed. The money he sent was enough to clear the debt.

After all, he had taken over someone else's son's body. If his family had an accident, he wouldn't be able to live with himself.

A moment later, Li Chen made an excuse about having something to do and hung up.

Li Chen let out a long breath, composed himself, and continued training.

However, when Li Mingdong called again in the afternoon to ask where Li Chen got so much money from.

Li Chen certainly wasn't going to tell him it was from playing basketball. In the older generation's eyes, playing basketball was a distraction from real life; only acquiring knowledge was the true path.

So, Li Chen naturally didn't dare to tell the truth. He was genuinely afraid that if his parents got too worked up, they might not make it.

Li Chen spent half an hour explaining his fabricated story.