One, the fans are already in an uproar hahaha

"Su, you don't need to go to the postgame interview. Just rest well!"

After the game, Mike Brown told Su Yi to skip the postgame interview—after all, the lineup issues tonight were bound to draw widespread attention.

"Alright, Coach. Have a good dream!"

Not having to go to the interview was a relief for him.

He immediately packed up his things and headed to the parking lot to wait for Yao Ming.

After about half an hour, Yao Ming, dressed in casual clothes, jogged over and said, "Yi, sorry to keep you waiting!"

"No problem. You're the one treating anyway."

Hearing Su Yi's words, Yao Ming couldn't help but laugh.

Then Su Yi got into Yao Ming's car, and they drove to the restaurant Yao Ming's family owned in Houston—Yao Restaurant!

The restaurant opened in February 2005. It was based on Shanghai cuisine and Sichuan-Yangzhou cuisine, with the most expensive main dish being the Yandu Roast Duck, priced at 34 dollars.

Yao Restaurant made Yao Ming, basketball, and American-style Chinese food its biggest selling points.

Fans could hang out there and watch games at the same time.

Now, not only did the Houston Rockets players often gather there, but even players and celebrities from other NBA teams frequently visited, making it a well-known dining spot in Houston.

And as the host, Yao Ming naturally invited Su Yi to Yao Restaurant for a meal.

As soon as the two walked into the restaurant, cheers erupted from the dining area. Who here wouldn't recognize Yao Ming?

And with Su Yi beside him?

Quite a few female customers couldn't hold back and came over to ask for Su Yi's autograph and photos.

Yao Ming couldn't help but feel a bit envious. He was standing right there too—why weren't they coming to him?

"Yao Ming, can I get a photo?"

A male guest came over and asked.

"Sure!"

It took a full twenty minutes of signing autographs and taking pictures before the two finally entered the private room.

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

"Eat whatever you want."

Yao Ming replied with a smile.

Soon, plates of delicious food were brought to the table, their tempting aromas wafting over. Su Yi didn't hold back and immediately started eating.

The flavors of the food lingered on Su Yi's tongue, making him completely indulge.

Su Yi gave Yao Ming a thumbs-up and said, "Delicious!"

Hearing this, Yao Ming could barely suppress the grin on his face. "If it's good, eat more. If it's not enough, we can order more."

"Alright!"

After replying, Su Yi immersed himself in the joy of eating.

Yao Ming joined in as well.

The two ate for nearly an hour without saying a word—just focused on devouring the food.

Both were athletes, so their appetites were far larger than ordinary people's.

During that time, the staff had already brought out two full tables' worth of dishes.

In other words, counting the original table, the two of them had polished off three tables' worth of food.

"So satisfying!"

Su Yi patted his stomach, feeling about 70-80% full.

He had truly enjoyed this meal. Of all the cuisines in the world, the food of the Dragon Kingdom was undeniably number one (๑•̀ㅂ•́)و✧

"Yao Ming, thank you so much. I really enjoyed this meal."

Su Yi expressed his gratitude.

"Haha, then come eat whenever you're free."

Yao Ming replied.

"Alright, but I'm paying this time. I'd be too embarrassed to let you treat me again."

"Of course you're paying. You're a big spender—why wouldn't I take advantage of that?"

After a few more casual exchanges, Yao Ming got straight to the point and asked, "Yi, what exactly happened in tonight's game?"

Yao Ming was baffled. Su Yi had scored 30+ points in five consecutive games, started the last four, and led the team to a five-game winning streak.

So what happened?

Tonight, Su Yi suddenly came off the bench.

As a fellow overseas compatriot, if Yao Ming could help, of course he would.

Hearing Yao Ming's question, Su Yi couldn't help but smile. "The team's big shot isn't happy, afraid I'll take his spot, so yeah!"

With that, Su Yi raised an eyebrow at Yao Ming, giving him a knowing look.

LeBron James?

Yao Ming suddenly understood completely—after all, as a rookie who had driven away his original team leader in just over a month, this guy was definitely capable of such things.

Compared to Su Yi, Yao Ming felt he was lucky, since his own rookie-era leader Steve Francis had looked out for him.

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

Yao Ming couldn't help but ask.

"Yao, I appreciate the thought, but it's fine. It'll be sorted soon. My coach is on my side. For a team, whether you're the owner, a player, or the general manager, winning is the only goal!"

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

It seemed this overseas compatriot of his was doing alright with the Cleveland Cavaliers.

"Then let me ask bluntly—when your rookie contract ends, where will you go? Is Houston an option?"

The moment Yao Ming finished speaking, Su Yi laughed. "Yao, your fox tail is finally showing."

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

Yao Ming deliberately turned his big backside toward Su Yi, letting him get a good look.

"Get lost!"

"Hahaha."

After the joking around, Su Yi answered Yao Ming's question seriously. "Yao, sorry to disappoint you, but I won't consider Houston. When my rookie contract ends, I'm going to a team built around me. Then I'll lead that team to the championship and take the Larry O'Brien Championship Trophy."

Yao Ming was slightly stunned by Su Yi's words. For a player like him, who had been in the NBA for four seasons, his goal was just to go further in the playoffs.

Actually, it wasn't that Yao Ming lacked ambition.

The Houston Rockets had been struggling in recent years.

In the 03-04 season, Yao Ming made the playoffs for the first time, but ran into the Los Angeles Lakers with their F4 in the first round. They lost 1-4 and were eliminated.

In the 04-05 season, the Houston Rockets brought in superstar scorer Tracy McGrady. The McGrady + Yao Ming combo filled fans with hope. But unexpectedly, they still fell in the first round, losing 3-4 to the Dallas Mavericks.

The 05-06 season was even worse. Both McGrady and Yao Ming were plagued by injuries, playing on and off during the regular season. Yao Ming only played 57 games, and McGrady only 47. With both core players missing that many games, the Rockets managed just 34 wins and 48 losses, missing the playoffs entirely.

This season, both were fully recovered and had played a month of games, with a decent 11-6 record. But Yao Ming always felt he and McGrady didn't click!

Yet the moment he saw Su Yi, Yao Ming felt this was his destined partner!

So Yao Ming wanted to recruit Su Yi right away. Having them on the same team would also maximize the buzz.

But hearing Su Yi's reply, Yao Ming still felt a bit regretful.

"Yao, maybe one day it'll be the other way around."

Su Yi said with a smile.

Yao Ming: (O_o)??

But Su Yi didn't continue answering that question. Instead, he changed the subject. The two talked freely until past 1 a.m., when Su Yi finally returned to the hotel.

Back at the hotel, Su Yi plugged in his dead phone and turned it back on. As soon as it booted up, Xu Rui's call came through.

The moment Su Yi answered, Xu Rui's voice came through. "Yi, the fans have gone crazy, hahaha."