One, the Fans Are Going Wild

"Su, you don't need to do the postgame interview. Get some rest!"

After the game, Mike Brown told Su Yi to skip the postgame interview and get some rest. The problems with tonight's lineup were bound to attract widespread attention.

"Okay, Coach. Sleep well!"

He was happy to have some time to himself instead of doing the interview.

He quickly gathered his things and headed to the parking lot to wait for Yao Ming.

After about half an hour, Yao Ming hurried over in casual clothes. "Yi, sorry to keep you waiting!"

"No worries. You're paying, after all."

At Su Yi's words, Yao Ming couldn't help laughing.

Su Yi then got into Yao Ming's car, and they headed to Yao's restaurant in Houston—Yao Restaurant!

The restaurant had opened in February 2005. It served dishes based on Magic City and Sichuan-Yang cuisine, with the most expensive main course being Yandu Roast Duck, priced at thirty-four dollars.

Yao Restaurant's biggest draws were Yao Ming, basketball, and American-style Chinese food.

Fans could relax and watch games there.

These days, not only did Houston Rockets players often gather there, but players from other NBA teams and celebrities visited regularly as well. It had become a well-known dining destination in Houston.

As the host, Yao Ming naturally invited Su Yi to have a meal at Yao Restaurant.

As soon as the two stepped into the restaurant, cheers erupted from the dining area. Who could come here without recognizing Yao Ming?

Especially with Su Yi standing beside him.

Several female customers could barely contain themselves and rushed over to ask Su Yi for autographs and photos.

Yao Ming couldn't help feeling envious. He was right there too—why weren't they asking him?

"Yao, could I get a photo with you?"

A male customer came over to ask.

"Sure!"

It took almost twenty minutes to get through the autographs and photos before the two finally made it into a private room.

As soon as they sat down, Su Yi teased, "Yao, I'm ordering the most expensive thing."

"Order whatever you like," Yao Ming replied with a smile.

Before long, dish after dish arrived, their enticing aromas filling the room. Su Yi didn't hold back and immediately dug in.

The delicious food lingered on Su Yi's palate, leaving him completely enchanted.

Su Yi gave Yao Ming a thumbs-up. "This is great!"

At that, Yao Ming could barely suppress his grin. "If you like it, eat more. We can order another round if we run out."

"Sounds good!"

After answering, Su Yi returned to savoring the food.

Yao Ming joined him.

The two ate for nearly an hour without saying a word. They just kept eating!

Both were athletes, and they ate far more than the average person.

The staff brought out two more tables' worth of dishes along the way.

Including the first table, the two of them had polished off three tables' worth of food.

"That hit the spot!"

Su Yi rubbed his stomach. He was about seventy or eighty percent full.

He'd really enjoyed the meal. There was no doubt that Dragon Country cuisine was the best in the world. ✧(๑•̀ㅂ•́)و

"Yao, thanks so much. I really enjoyed that meal."

Su Yi couldn't help thanking him.

"Hahaha, then come by whenever you get the chance."

"Sure, but I'll pay next time. I'd feel bad having you treat me again."

"Of course you'll pay. How could I pass up a chance to fleece a rich guy like you?"

After chatting for a few minutes, Yao Ming got straight to the point. "Yi, what exactly happened in tonight's game?"

Yao Ming couldn't make sense of it. Su Yi had scored thirty-plus points in each of his first five games, and started in each of the last four.

He'd led the team to five straight wins.

So what happened?

Tonight, Su Yi had suddenly been moved to the bench.

As a fellow countryman, Yao Ming was happy to help if he could.

Hearing Yao Ming's question, Su Yi smiled. "The team's star isn't happy. He's afraid I'll take his spot, so..."

As he spoke, Su Yi raised his eyebrows at Yao Ming, giving him a look that said he'd understand.

LeBron James?

Yao Ming immediately got the picture. After all, it was entirely believable that a rookie who'd driven the team's former star out in just over a month might do something like this.

Compared to Su Yi, Yao Ming felt lucky. His own star, Steve Francis, had looked out for him during his rookie season.

"So what are you planning to do now? Is there anything I can do to help?"

Yao Ming couldn't help asking.

"Yao, I appreciate the thought, but it's fine. Things will be back to normal soon. My coach is still on my side.

"For any team, whether you're the owner, a player, or the general manager, the goal is to win!"

Hearing Su Yi's words, Yao Ming felt relieved.

It seemed his fellow countryman was doing all right with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"Then let me ask you something, if you don't mind. When your rookie contract ends, where will you go? Would you consider Houston?"

As soon as Yao Ming finished speaking, Su Yi smiled. "Yao, your ulterior motive finally showed!"

"Yi, I don't have a tail."

Yao Ming deliberately turned his ample backside toward Su Yi, inviting him to take a good look.

"Get lost!"

"Hahaha."

After joking around, Su Yi answered Yao Ming seriously. "Yao, I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I won't consider Houston.

"When my rookie contract ends, I'll go to a team built around me.

"Then I'll lead that team to a championship and win the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy."

Yao Ming was a little taken aback by Su Yi's words. After all, as a player who'd spent four seasons in the NBA, his own goal was simply to make it further in the playoffs.

It wasn't that Yao Ming lacked ambition.

The Houston Rockets had had a rough time these past few years.

The 2003–04 season was Yao Ming's first trip to the playoffs, but the team faced the Los Angeles Lakers and their F4 in the first round.

They lost the series 4–1 and were eliminated, much to their disappointment.

In the 2004–05 season, Houston brought in the superstar scorer Tracy McGrady, and the pairing of McGrady and Yao Ming filled fans with hope.

But unexpectedly, even with that lineup, they fell in the first round.

They lost 4–3 to the Dallas Mavericks and were eliminated once again.

The 2005–06 season was even worse. Both McGrady and Yao Ming struggled with injuries and missed games throughout the regular season.

Yao Ming appeared in only fifty-seven games, while McGrady played in just forty-seven.

With both stars missing so many games, the Houston Rockets managed only a 34–48 record and missed the playoffs.

This season, he and McGrady were both healthy again. A month into the season, they had a respectable 11–6 record.

But Yao Ming always felt that he and McGrady weren't a good fit!

Then he saw Su Yi, and felt like he'd found the one he was destined to play alongside!

So Yao Ming immediately thought of recruiting Su Yi.

And if the two of them were on the same team, the media buzz would be off the charts.

Still, hearing Su Yi's answer left Yao Ming feeling a little disappointed.

"Yao, maybe one day things will be the other way around," Su Yi said with a smile.

Yao Ming: (O_o)??

But Su Yi didn't answer the question any further. Instead, he changed the subject, and the two talked freely until well past one in the morning. Only then did Su Yi head back to the hotel.

Back at the hotel, Su Yi plugged in his dead phone, then turned it on again.

As soon as it powered up, Xu Rui called.

The moment Su Yi answered, Xu Rui's voice came through. "Yi, the fans are going wild, hahaha!"