The date was April 5.
After beating the Phoenix Suns, the New York Knicks once again returned to Los Angeles.
Then, after another "battle," they easily defeated the Lakers, who were missing Griffin.
Afterward, the New York players were given another three-day break.
It would be their last vacation before the Playoffs began.
Though, technically, the Playoffs were just around the corner~~
Naturally, the players treasured the break. They happily headed home to enjoy some time off.
Chen Xi, however, didn't fly back to New York with the team to start his little vacation.
Instead, after the game that night, he went straight back to his home in Los Angeles.
And began his miserable daily routine in the city.
It wasn't until the following evening, when he attended a charity gala at Kobe's invitation, that he finally got a little genuine downtime.
"Five thousand!"
"I'm in!"
"I'm out. Fold."
At a card table in a corner of the banquet hall, Chen unhesitatingly covered his hole cards and pushed them back toward the dealer.
"Come on, man! Chris! You folded again?! How many times have you folded tonight? That's not how you play Texas Hold'em..."
Sitting directly across from Chen was Don Cheadle.
He played Colonel Rhodes in Iron Man 2 and 3, as well as various Marvel Avengers movies. (War Machine, looking sharp.)
He boredly covered his hole cards, then grumbled at Chen Xi.
"Sorry, my luck really has been terrible tonight. Besides, if folding is a rule, doesn't that mean people are supposed to use it?"
Chen Xi smiled and shook his head, then leaned back. He took a glass of champagne from a server beside him and took a small sip to moisten his throat.
"But the community cards look great!"
Cheadle pointed to the three community cards