The Omen?

Since the Celtics had a back-to-back schedule, Chen Xi didn't keep Brown for a meal, only agreeing to catch up again next time he was in Boston.

The next day, he brought Old Man Chen to tour the arena again, showing off his usual training routines.

"You've endured a lot of hardship." But the old man didn't care how advanced the equipment was or how good the team's setup was—he only cared about his grandson. Looking at the man a head taller than himself, the old man's eyes were full of the little brat from a decade ago. Back then, Chen Xi only reached his thigh, and he could pat his head without even raising his hand. How did he get so tall in the blink of an eye?

Then he looked at the sturdy muscles on his body now. The old man couldn't imagine how much effort and suffering it took to train and become like this.

Even if he didn't understand basketball, he knew that on Earth, this was a sport dominated by other races. How many Yellow race players were there in the entire NBA? How much effort did his grandson have to put in just to squeeze in?

"Ah, it's nothing. Training is good for your health too. I'm really strong now, great immunity!" Chen Xi cheerfully showed off his biceps to his grandpa, carefree.

"You've grown up, got your own ideas. This old man just hopes you don't push yourself too hard. It's enough to be average. You don't have to fight for the top. Your income isn't low now—save some money, retire when you're tired. That's fine too."

"Hahahaha, alright. If I get tired one day, I'll retire and come help you in the shop."

"No way, you're all thumbs. You'd ruin my kitchen."

"Hahahahahaha."

In the evening, after dinner, Chen Xi saw the old man off.

In the parking lot, watching a passenger plane streak across the fiery red sky under the sunset, Chen Xi gazed at him receding into the distance with a touch of melancholy.

"Time to go back, back now~~" He turned and sat in the car, pulling out his phone.

"I still need to get a ticket from Veronica. For the home game, the one on the 17th against the Suns should work."

Although the past few days had been all about the old man, Chen Xi hadn't forgotten to keep in touch with this very proactive beauty.

"I'm doomed, I've fallen in love~~" Chen Xi mocked himself with a smile, sent a message to the team's assistant manager, then started the car and slowly drove toward home.

Unexpectedly, the two-game road trip to Portland and Utah ended in two consecutive losses, leaving the entire Thunder team holding in a fierce breath with nowhere to vent.

In the game against the Trail Blazers, Portland's all-shooter lineup shot them to death. A 67% shooting percentage—even the Cosmic Warriors would struggle to win against that.

And in the game against the Jazz, the 1,300-meter altitude of Salt Lake City made Chen Xi, visiting for the first time, quite uncomfortable, with some degree of altitude sickness. Combined with Odie and Little Sabonis losing their way, even Westbrook's 37+6+8 couldn't turn the tide.

On the 16th, after getting off the plane, everyone went their separate ways.

But Chen Xi experienced being picked up at the airport for the first time.

Veronica had been waiting there for a while.

"Chris, are you okay?" The woman wore a white cashmere sweater with a khaki coat over it, a black-and-gray striped scarf around her neck, but only shorts and sheer stockings on her legs. Concern in her eyes, she stepped forward to greet him.

Clearly, she knew the Thunder's two-game road trip hadn't gone well.

In response to readers' requests, a VIP member ad-free function is now available.

Click to view.

"What could happen to me? I'm great. There's an old Chinese saying: victory and defeat are common in battle. Just small issues."

The moment he saw the beauty, Chen Xi's eyes went straight. How could he spare any thought for the trivial matter of winning or losing? Was that important? No!

"Good to hear. Then let's go? It's a bit cold here."

"Let's go, let's go. Who told you to dress so lightly? Aren't your legs cold? Women are so strange."

"Rude. When a lady dresses up, you only need to compliment her beauty. No need for unnecessary curiosity." Veronica shot Chen a glare, then stepped forward to link her arm with his as they walked to the parking lot.

With more time together and more conversations, Veronica had seen Chen Xi's true colors. This guy wasn't some shy little boy—he was secretly flirtatious. Once they got familiar, he started joking and throwing out cheeky lines. Of course, she didn't mind it.

When they got back to the car side by side, the atmosphere began to heat up. Unable to withstand Veronica's affectionate gaze, Chen Xi started the car and drove toward a renowned restaurant.

Today's schedule was packed full; there was no time to waste.

But Veronica clearly had no intention of stopping. Come on, making her wait this long—she'd collect some interest first!

Touching his face, touching his thigh, Chen Xi suspected that if he weren't driving, he'd be devoured on the spot. This woman's eyes were practically dripping with desire.

He couldn't help but stomp harder on the gas, speeding toward their destination.

Thunder team, manager's office.

Presti and Donovan sat face-to-face on leather chairs.

"Billy, do you think Chris has the ability to replace Victor?" Presti looked seriously at Donovan, expecting the head coach to give a satisfactory answer.

"As of now, there's still a gap between Chris and Victor. But as the head coach, if I had to choose, I'd still pick Chris." Donovan weighed his words and gave his opinion.

"You know, a little over a month ago, Chris was a late second-round pick who couldn't even get playing time. As a rookie, his progress has been too fast. That makes me look forward to his future."

As he spoke, Donovan pulled out some data.

A month ago, Chen Xi's shot distribution was only from the three-point line, relying solely on off-ball catch-and-shoot, with a 60% shooting percentage. Half a month later, his shot distribution added mid-range and a very small amount of under-the-basket attempts, with a true shooting percentage of 54% and a three-point percentage of 57%.

The most recent data showed that his under-the-basket attempts had surpassed mid-range, with a corresponding true shooting percentage rising to 62% and a three-point percentage of 55%.

Similarly, on defense, in just a month and a half, there was a visible improvement.

After reading it, Presti became more certain of his decision.

With Westbrook on the team, tanking was out of the question. Wasting Westbrook's prime would surely get them roasted by Oklahoma City fans.

Add to that the crowded guard line and the lack of forwards.

If Chen Xi could smoothly take over Oladipo's position and handle enough production, then Oladipo, as a clear positive asset, could be traded for an excellent forward, greatly improving the team's roster balance.

Can't find the book by title? Try searching by author—maybe it just changed names!