Li Fei walked slowly with Monica to the center of the head table.
He politely acknowledged everyone, his voice calm and warm.
"Thank you all for giving it your all these past few weeks. We wouldn't have made it to twenty straight wins without you."
"Tonight, relax and recharge. Starting tomorrow, we'll give it our all again and keep pushing forward."
His two brief sentences brought the whole team back to the competitive spirit that had brought them together.
Even at a celebratory dinner, he hadn't lost his composure or self-discipline.
Jordan smiled and raised a hand, signaling for everyone to sit.
"Enjoy yourselves tonight. Relax and recharge for the games ahead."
Everyone took their seats, and the tension in the room finally lifted.
But people still found their eyes drifting to the two at the head table.
Monica sat quietly beside Li Fei, elegant, gentle, and gracious.
Every now and then, she turned to speak softly with Li Fei, her eyes crinkling with a tender smile.
Everything about her radiated captivating charm and refinement.
She gave everyone a real sense of what true, effortless glamour looked like.
On the court, he was the iron-fisted, invincible ruler of a Dynasty.
Off the court, he was a gentle, unassuming young man.
He had a beautiful woman by his side and his whole team behind him.
Before him lay endless records to break; beneath his feet stretched the path to a new Dynasty.
Tonight, New York belonged to the Knicks—and even more so to Li Fei.
After this brief celebration, the team would soon be ready to set out again.
They would charge at full speed toward the thirty-three-game winning streak that had stood untouched for decades.
Late at night, New York had shed the neon bustle of the day.
In