The curve at the corner of Li Fei's lips grew wider and wider. He set down the report in his hand and slowly rose to his feet.
His tall, upright figure cast an enormous shadow beneath the lights, radiating an oppressive presence.
"Conserving water is every citizen's duty."
He stretched out his long legs and followed her.
Water trickled softly, mist curling through the air.
A thoroughly satisfying celebration continued from the bathroom at ten thousand meters in the air all the way to a luxurious Long Island mansion in New York, one that overlooked the entire coastline.
Beyond the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows lay the deep night sky and the shimmering sea. Inside the bedroom, flames quietly burned in the fireplace, crackling faintly as they cast a warm glow across the rumpled silk sheets.
Monica Bellucci curled up like a lazy cat in the crook of Li Fei's broad, solid arm. Her fingers gently traced his chest, feeling the explosive power concealed beneath his Titanium Alloy Physique.
"You said... the future belongs to Kobe," she asked softly, her voice tinged with the huskiness of satisfaction.
"Mm." Li Fei closed his eyes, savoring this rare tenderness. "But the future is still far away."
"Then what about now?"
"Now... belongs to me."
Two days later, the All-Star Weekend break officially came to an end.
The atmosphere inside the New York Knicks' practice facility was exceptionally solemn.
Unlike the relaxed, carefree atmosphere of the All-Star Game, this place was heavy with the tension that came before war.
Every player wore an expression of focus and seriousness.
They all understood that All-Star Weekend marked the turning point of the season. From this moment onward, the second half of the regular season would officially enter the brutal fight for playoff spots and seeding.
And for