Stop Thinking, Let's Go Train

The next day, Goodwin woke up and followed his usual training routine.

Even during NBA All-Star Weekend, he couldn't afford to slack off.

A certain great man once said: "There are no geniuses; I just use the time others spend drinking coffee to write!"

He arrived at the hotel gym early, and finding it completely empty, Goodwin curled his lips slightly and said in a rather chuunibyou manner, "This gym has been contracted by me."

Once his "episode" was over, he immediately began his warm-up exercises.

After finishing his warm-up, Goodwin stepped onto the treadmill and began to run at a steady pace.

He didn't know how much time had passed before a sound came from the gym entrance.

Without turning his head, Goodwin knew someone had entered, but he didn't care who it was; after all, it was a hotel, and anyone staying there could come to work out.

The two people who walked in were a little surprised to find someone there before them. They were fitness enthusiasts who had come to Los Angeles for a business trip and were taking the opportunity to attend the NBA All-Star Weekend.

The two exchanged glances and began their own workouts. One of them walked directly to Goodwin's side and chose the treadmill as well.

As she ran, she glanced at Goodwin for some reason and suddenly froze.

This, this, this... the familiar face made her incredibly excited.

"OMG! You're Goodwin." She pressed the pause button and shouted excitedly.

Having been called by name, Goodwin had to turn his head to look. Imprinted in his eyes was a head of dark hair, a sharp nose bridge, and a pair of captivating large eyes. Her features were well-defined, and she wore a tight-fitting workout outfit that accentuated her slender figure, causing Goodwin to take a second look.

Goodwin nodded and greeted her, "Hello." She was probably one of his female fans.

"I can't believe I'm meeting you here. I'm a fan of yours, Goodwin," the woman said excitedly.

"Thank you for your support. If I may ask, do you like my basketball skills, or do you like my looks?" Goodwin asked with a touch of curiosity.

The woman was suddenly shy. She hadn't expected Goodwin to ask such a question so abruptly. Her breathing became rapid, and she bit her lip and said, "Your looks."

"Hahaha, I knew it!" Goodwin laughed in response, exactly as he had guessed.

Hearing Goodwin's words, the woman felt so embarrassed she could have curled her toes into the floor.

Just then, Goodwin's voice reached her ears again: "Thank you for liking me, but I hope you'll also like my basketball skills in the future."

The woman looked up, flustered, and explained, "I will! My friend and I came to Los Angeles these days specifically to go to the All-Star game and cheer for you."

Looking at the woman's flustered appearance, Goodwin didn't know why, but he found it a bit cute.

Goodwin blurted out, "By the way, I still don't know your name."

The woman touched her head and said, "My name is Ashley Greene."

Ashley Greene? The name sounded a bit familiar.

"Ashley, it's a pleasure to meet you."

Afterward, the two chatted while running, talking about everything from basketball to life, which left Ashley Greene's best friend feeling helpless—what a person who prioritizes romance over friendship.

"Goodbye, Ashley. It was a very pleasant conversation." After saying this, Goodwin turned and headed toward his room.

Actually, he wanted to keep talking to Ashley Greene, but time didn't allow it; he still had a lot of training left to finish.

Ashley, hope to see you again!

Afterward, Goodwin put Ashley Greene out of his mind, returned to his room to shower and change, and went to the hotel restaurant for a hearty breakfast.

After eating his fill, Goodwin had just walked out of the restaurant when someone walked up and hugged him.

???

Goodwin was completely bewildered. Who?

That costs extra, Goodwin thought, just as he was about to push the person away.

He saw the person say excitedly, "Goodwin! Long time no see."

Goodwin looked at the person and realized it was his "rival for life," Carmelo Anthony.

"Anthony, long time no see. To be honest, I don't really want to see you right now." Seeing Carmelo Anthony, Goodwin's mind flashed back to the last time he lost to the Denver Nuggets, where he had been docked 3 attribute points, making three days of training go to waste—he was practically on the verge of tears.

Carmelo Anthony was full of question marks.

"Every time I see you, I think of the last time the Celtics lost to the Nuggets."

"Hahahaha." Hearing Goodwin's words, Carmelo Anthony couldn't help but laugh.

Then Carmelo Anthony waved his hand and said, "That time doesn't count; you didn't even play. When we meet again next time and I beat you again, then you can say that, hahahaha." Carmelo Anthony felt excited just thinking about it—avenging his grudge!

Goodwin: "..."

Damn! Is that something a human would say?

Goodwin raised his fist and punched Carmelo Anthony in the chest.

Carmelo Anthony immediately played along, "Ah, that hurts!"

"Stop pretending, I didn't even use any force."

"Hahahaha, Goodwin, meeting you has put me in a good mood today."

Just as the two were "flirting," LeBron James and Dwyane Wade interrupted, "Anthony, aren't you going to introduce us?"

LeBron James and Wade certainly knew who Goodwin was, but they weren't familiar with him; they couldn't even be considered friends.

It was only after the two of them spoke that Goodwin realized these two were there as well.

If Chris Paul were here, they would have the full Banana Boat Crew!

(Chris Paul: I'm still in the NCAA!)

Carmelo Anthony introduced the two parties to each other.

"Hello, James, Wade!"

"Hello, Goodwin!" "Hello, Goodwin!"

The three of them exchanged friendly greetings.

"Goodwin, we're going to grab some breakfast, would you like to join us?" Carmelo Anthony invited.

"Sorry, Anthony, I just finished eating," Goodwin said apologetically.

"Alright then, see you this afternoon," Carmelo Anthony said, sounding a bit disappointed.

The afternoon was reserved for rookie training camp; though it was called training, it was really just a chance for the players to get to know one another.

"See you this afternoon." Goodwin also said goodbye to LeBron James and Wade before taking his leave.

LeBron James watched Goodwin's retreating figure and said, "His popularity is even higher than mine!" This was something LeBron James had heard from his own agent.

"How is that possible?" Wade replied, surprised. Among this year's rookie class, who could surpass the number one overall pick, LeBron James, in popularity? Even Carmelo Anthony fell a little short.

LeBron James shrugged and replied, "That's what my agent told me."

"Oh? Goodwin is already that impressive? It looks like I need to double my efforts," Carmelo Anthony said, his fighting spirit soaring.

"Let's go, let's get some breakfast."

After eating his fill, Goodwin planned to watch some game tapes of the Sacramento Kings. After the All-Star break, his first opponent would be none other than the Sacramento Kings.

Half an hour later, Goodwin's brow was tightly furrowed; the Sacramento Kings were very strong!

The odds of winning that game were likely only 1%.

Stop thinking about it, time to go train.

Goodwin couldn't help but shake his head, turned off the tape, and walked out of his room to head to practice.