Getting Started

Brring...

"Hello, old man. It's me."

"Xiao Xi, how are things over there? Have you eaten? Are you sleeping well at night?" As soon as the old man saw who was calling, he immediately expressed his concern.

"Don't worry, old man. I'm doing great. I just finished practice and got home. The coaching staff can't stop praising your grandson. You'd better enjoy these last days running the restaurant—soon, your grandson will be making a million dollars a year and bringing you to Oklahoma to live the good life."

"You little punk, that's a lot of confidence. Take care of yourself and don't push too hard. Your health is your capital. If things don't work out, come back to Dallas. Your grandpa still has some savings, and if you take over this restaurant, you'll have enough to support a family."

"Come on, don't worry. I'm not making this up. Well, talk is cheap. Give it some time and watch my games. Heh."

Chen Xi rubbed his nose.

"Okay, I won't keep you. I haven't eaten yet. I just called to let you know I'm safe. I'm going to cook now."

"All right, all right. Go on..."

Brring...

In a small restaurant in Dallas, the old man put down his phone and sighed.

"That kid only tells me the good news, never the bad. Just like his father."

He turned and looked at the family photo on the table, took off his glasses, and wiped them.

"Xiao Luo, if you can hear me up there, please watch over this child. He lost his parents when he was little and has been through so much. He's suffered enough, hasn't he? I hope things go smoothly for him from now on, and that he stays safe."

As people got older, they had more to say. Facing the photo, he rambled on and on, repeating himself.

Ding-a-ling~~

Just then, a young Chinese American couple came in.

"Hello? Are you still open?"

"We are. What would you two like?" The old man put his glasses back on.

"Hmm... We'll have Stir-fried Eggs with Yellow Chives and Sweet and Sour Pork Ribs, and some braised eggplant."

The man looked over the menu and ordered a few home-style dishes.

"Sir, we came here on the recommendation of fellow Chinese people. We want the taste of home, so don't make us the kind of food Americans eat."

"All right, all right."

The old man tied on his apron.

"Don't worry. It'll taste just like back home. If Americans could stomach it, who'd bother making that other stuff?"

Time flew by, and before long, it was October 4.

The team had arrived in Madrid, Spain, ready to begin the first pre-season game of the year: the Thunder against Real Madrid.

Chen Xi followed the team to the venue and warmed up enthusiastically, eager to complete the system's task in this game.

Over the past eight days, his excellent three-point shooting had earned him the coaching staff's approval. He learned that they were satisfied with his performance and had put him on the active roster for this game, so he could be ready to play at any time.

It was undoubtedly good news.

The team didn't take a mere pre-season game too seriously. It was mainly an opportunity to develop promising rookies.

Unfortunately, Real Madrid gave the Thunder plenty of trouble. Chen Xi didn't get on the court until the Third Quarter, when he replaced Alex Caruso (Emperor Ka was an Undrafted player from the 2016 draft, signed by the Thunder Team on September 23, and waived on October 18). The coaching staff still didn't trust him, and he was pulled after just three minutes. During that time, he only managed to get open for one three-pointer.

The game went into overtime, and Real Madrid eventually won, 142–137, thanks to a stronger performance.

Fortunately, in the second pre-season game a couple of days later, the Thunder faced Barcelona, and Chen Xi got playing time in the second quarter. In just 13 minutes, he went four-for-five from the field, scored 12 points, grabbed one rebound, and earned the first win of his career.

Back on the plane, Chen Xi couldn't wait to call up the system.

"System! Hurry! Let's open the box!"

[Random Badge draw in progress]

[Congratulations, Host, you have obtained the badge: Death Coil (Bronze)]

"Holy crap!!!! I'm flying high!!!"

Chen Xi saw the badge and excitedly threw a punch in the air.

"I've made it! I've made it! Now let's see who still says I've only got the three, not the D!"

"Chris, stop by the general manager's office when we get back. Mr. Presti wants to see you."

Paul Davis, a front-office staff member walking toward him, glanced at Chen Xi in confusion, unsure what he was getting so worked up about.

Then he passed along what might have been good news.

"Oh, okay!"

Two pieces of good news at once. There was an eighty percent chance he was getting signed!

Chen Xi happily put on his headphones, ready to listen on the flight back to the Guo Degang comedy collection he'd downloaded earlier.

Perfect bedtime audio~~

Knock, knock, knock...

"Come in."

"Sir, Davis said you wanted to see me?" Chen Xi walked into the office.

"That's right, young man. I have a contract here. Take a look and let me know if you have any objections." Presti smiled at the handsome young Chinese American before him.

"You don't have an agent yet, do you?"

"No, I haven't found one yet." Chen Xi answered, his eyes darting over the contract in his hands.

Two years, $1.1 million, with a team option for the second year.

It was a very realistic, dirt-cheap deal, but still acceptable. Given his performance so far, it was barely even a gamble—just a harmless little speculative bet for the Thunder.

"It's a fully guaranteed contract for the first year. I'm sure you won't turn it down, young man. I believe in you." Presti understood Chen Xi's current situation.

"Of course. It's an honor to have you believe in me. No one in the League would question your eye for talent."

No matter what, this meant he had at least planted one foot in the League and taken his first step into the NBA. Chen Xi had no other options right now.

"Work hard. I'm sure you'll need an agent before long." Presti smiled and teased Chen Xi. He often visited the practice court to watch the team train.

In his view, Chen Xi was very personable and got along well with his teammates. He was also very active on the court—one might even say he played with reckless abandon. It was a shame that in competitive sports, ability was everything. He hoped Chen Xi would make the most of his opportunity and stay with an NBA-caliber team. He believed that would greatly help him develop.

Clearly, even Presti wasn't optimistic about Chen Xi's future. After all, he was only human and didn't have the legendary foresight. If he really did, he wouldn't have let Harden go for a mere few million.

"Hey, Chris, come over to my place for dinner tonight!"

Russell Westbrook called out when he saw Chen Xi return to the practice court.

"Haha, I'd be imposing, but I'd love to. I have no idea what I'm having for dinner anyway."

Chen Xi naturally wouldn't turn down an invitation from the team's Leader.

Besides, Westbrook was well known for being popular and easygoing off the court.

If you enjoyed this book and want to find it again, remember to add it to your bookshelf.