Joyfully Acquiring F12

This continued until the middle of the second quarter, when the Thunder were still going blow-for-blow with the Warriors. But as Westbrook went to rest, the substitute Semaj Christon couldn't keep up with the team's rhythm at all—missing shots, failing on defense, and forcing Oladipo to scramble for help coverage. The team's defense collapsed at the first touch.

Donovan had no choice but to put Adams and Roberson back in to replace Chen Xi and Sabonis, sending the team into its weakest offensive rotation.

But the Thunder's Five-Out was over. The Warriors' wasn't.

Iguodala, coming off the bench, took up the offensive mantle. Teaming up with Livingston and Klay, in just four minutes, they unleashed a 13-to-4 attack wave that blew the Thunder apart.

Even when Donovan brought the Five-Out lineup back in the third quarter, it was useless. Stopping the Warriors' offense was the real issue—scoring didn't matter if you couldn't defend.

107 to 126.

In the end, the Thunder lost to the Golden State Warriors by a 19-point margin, ending their four-game winning streak to start the season.

The four-game streak didn't disappear—it just shifted to the Warriors.

If not for the first game of the season, when they were still adjusting their lineup against the wily Spurs, the Warriors might have been sitting at five straight wins and first in the Western Conference.

For the whole game, Westbrook shot 7-of-15, 2-of-4 from three, and 7-of-10 from the free-throw line, putting up 23 points, 7 rebounds, and 10 assists—a bitter loss to swallow.

And Durant's efficient 39 points on 15-of-24 shooting? That stung to look at.

After the game, Westbrook didn't do any interviews. He washed up quickly and left the arena, heading back to the hotel. With a day off after the back-to-back, the team decided to fly back to Oklahoma tomorrow.

Knock knock knock.

Chen Xi knocked on Westbrook's door. After some thought, he figured he should check on him—though he doubted the guy was that fragile.

"What's up, Chris? Didn't I tell Carmelo and the others I'm not going?"

"Going where? I came to see you. You good?"

"Oh, I'm fine. Thought you were like them, dragging me to some Golden State nightclub."

"What?! Tmd they're hitting up a club and didn't call me?!" Chen Xi turned to leave.

"Quit clowning around. Since you're here, keep me company for a few drinks." Westbrook grabbed him and pulled him back.

"Fine, I'll reluctantly keep you company. But let me be clear—I'm not gay."

"Qnmd. Sit down. I had someone grab some food. Wait a bit." As he spoke, Westbrook pulled out a new glass and filled it.

Two empty bottles on the table showed he'd already had plenty.

After a few rounds, the floodgates opened.

"Chris, what do you think—how will we do this season?"

"Let me count on my fingers. This year, sixth in the West. First round, we crush the Rockets. Second round, we wreck the Spurs. Western Finals, we slay the Warriors. Finals, we sweep the Cavaliers. Raise the championship trophy!"

"...You think I'm an idiot?"

"Tch. Don't believe me if you want. You know nothing about the Mysterious Eastern Power!"

"So, oh possessor of the Mysterious Eastern Power, when will you be old enough to buy your own booze, kid?" (In the US, you have to be 21 to drink—at least in public.)

"I'm almost 20!!!!"

"Hahahahaha. Tomorrow, back in Oklahoma, we're going to pick out a car."

"???"

"You sure?!!"

Chen Xi pulled out his phone and opened the voice recorder.

"Say that again. Words are empty—I need proof!"

Neither of them brought up Durant.

Chen Xi just needed to know Westbrook was okay. Westbrook just needed to feel Chen Xi's concern.

Men—sometimes they don't need much comfort. Drink with a brother, get some sleep, and wake up the next day ready to be that strong version of themselves again.

The next day, after flying back to Oklahoma, Chen Xi caught a ride with Oladipo to the arena for extra practice. He'd already earned the head coach's approval and basically locked in a rotation spot, but he knew how weak his fundamentals were. Right now, he was barely the sixth or seventh man on the team, relying on his spacing role rather than pure skill at that level. Honestly, it was because the Thunder's roster was thin—the bench was shallow. Put him on the Golden State Warriors, and he might not even crack the rotation.

Chen Xi still wanted to rely on training to close those gaps as fast as possible, to make his strength truly match his position, and then finish those damn record targets!! Go hard on the stat boosts!! And crush those All-Stars!!!

{A promise we made growing up~~ so clear~~~}

Chen Xi picked up the phone. It was Turtle Turtle calling.

"Hey, Chris, come down now. I'm waiting in the parking lot. If you're late, the 4S shop will close!"

"Coming! Coming! Tmd I'm coming~~~"

Chen Xi was in a great mood.

No one stays indifferent when they think they might soon own their first supercar.

And it's a Ferrari!

"If every time I drink with you and crash, I wake up to a supercar, I'm free every night. Call me anytime, baby!"

As soon as he sat down in Turtle Turtle's passenger seat, Chen started acting up.

"I didn't say I was giving it to you for free. You're not even the team's starter yet, Chris."

Westbrook shot a sidelong glance at the smug Chen.

"If the day the car arrives and you still haven't made it, I won't mind having one more Ferrari in my garage."

"I knew you wouldn't be that heartless! Russell, you're the most loyal, good brother in the world!"

Who could refuse a generous and righteous rich buddy? (I hung my brother up and beat him for three days, and he still wouldn't admit he had money, damn it!)

"Bro, you smell nice."

Cheerfully arriving at the Ferrari dealership, Westbrook had already arranged for a salesperson to wait. All Chen Xi had to do was follow their service process step-by-step and pick out the accessories he liked.

Classic bright red paint, yellow calipers, LED carbon fiber steering wheel, carbon fiber track rims, carbon fiber front spoiler, side splitters, power seats, yellow stitching, embroidered logo, chassis lift, front and rear sensors...

Not holding back at all with Turtle Turtle, he went for all the high-end options—joking aside, a guy like Turtle Turtle pulling in tens of millions a year from his team contract alone could handle an F12 with ease.

Chen Xi really took the rich guy for a ride.

"Damn!! Fourteen months! That's just damn awful!!!"

Chen Xi was still complaining as he walked out of the store. The long wait from ordering the car to picking it up was unbearable for him from the very first second.

"New orders usually take this long. You don't have a car to get around in now. Come by my garage tonight, and I'll lend you one first."