Chapter 198: Chapter 23: The Curtain Rises on the Grand Entertainment Faction War

The Pacers widened the gap even further.

Halfway through the fourth quarter, even someone as stubborn as Van Gundy decided to throw in the towel.

The Rockets were down by 27 points. What was the point of playing?

Both sides sent in their reserves, turning the rest of the game into a scrimmage.

And just like that, the first Chinese Derby came to a close.

The final score was 112 to 89.

Su Xi’s final stats for the game were 18 points, 9 assists, 6 rebounds, 4 steals, and 1 block.

Yao Ming’s final stats for the game were 27 points, 11 rebounds, 4 assists, and 2 blocks.

Both were star-level performances.

Anyone who watched the game wouldn’t say they were undeserving of an All-Star spot.

But tonight, even for those who watched the game, the main point of interest was still the topic of Scarlett jumping on Su Xi to kiss him.

It didn’t matter that the Pacers won or that Su Xi put up a stat line of 18, 9, 6, and 4.

The important question was, did Little Sheep Su Xi secretly use his tongue?

Would they take things to the next level tonight?

Would they have breakfast together tomorrow morning? Tonight, would it be the "juicer" or the "facial cleanser"?

More than half of the North American internet was buzzing about this question.

After the game, Su Xi was also swarmed. Reporters surrounded him, aiming their arsenal of cameras at him.

They asked a few basketball-related questions at the beginning.

Then, the tone suddenly shifted.

"Jack, were you satisfied with Scarlett’s performance tonight? What did you think of her jumping ability? I think her flexibility is excellent. When she wrapped her legs around your waist, her own core flexibility was on full display..."

"I think her agility was even better," Su Xi answered honestly.

"So, will you be going one-on-one with her tonight? Jack, we all know you’re a defensive master. If Scarlett breaks your zone defense and double-teams you while holding the ball, how will you respond?"

Next question.

"Who do you think has a better body, Scarlett or Jessica Alba? Do you think Scarlett’s actions tonight have infringed upon Jessica Alba’s status as the original partner?"

Next question.

"Jack, would you have been happier if Scarlett had sung a Lindsay Lohan song tonight? Between the two Disney princesses, the rebellious-looking Lindsay should be more your type. After all, you’re a player who always seeks excitement. Since you’re going to chase thrills, why not go all the way?"

Next question.

"If Scarlett asks you out on a date tonight, will you bring Okamoto or Durex?"

...Next.

"Jack, will you give the SJ Faction an explanation? You shouldn’t have gone on stage tonight. You clearly only love Jessica, yet you let Scarlett create all this crazy hype. You saved her life, but she’s not satisfied. She even kissed you, not once but twice..."

An SJ Faction reporter asked a deafening question.

But it was quickly drowned out.

Su Xi finally decided to end the interview. Tony Battie quickly came over to help him block the crowd, and he stepped out of the encirclement of cameras.

’This is terrifying.’

Back in the locker room, Su Xi still felt suffocated. ’What the hell are these reporters asking? There’s no depth to their questions at all.’

"Hey, Jack."

Head coach Carlisle walked over and happily high-fived Su Xi. "Congratulations on winning the Chinese Derby. I’ve always been proud of your magical performances. You’re the most powerful engine on our Pacers team. Your RPM and torque are creating immense kinetic energy and momentum for us."

Carlisle was just full of these little phrases, one after another.

Then he said, "I can give you the night off."

Then, he held out his hand and gave Su Xi something. Su Xi took it and looked: Durex.

"It’s not one-size-fits-all, it’s an XL. It’s black, makes it look smaller," Carlisle said seriously.

Su Xi was a bit speechless. There was something he really wanted to say, but he held it back at the tip of his tongue, not wanting to provoke the smug Carlisle. ’After all, I use XXXXL.’

"I’m not going out tonight." Su Xi slapped the family planning tool back into Carlisle’s hand. "I need to study tactics. The only thing on my mind is basketball."

Su Xi sounded so sanctimonious. This piety reminded Carlisle of himself when facing his wife’s demands—he’d use the same self-righteous tone.

’He shouldn’t be like this, he’s still so young.’

Carlisle thought to himself, ’It must be because there are too many reporters out there tonight. That was inconsiderate of me.’

...

"Do I support the SS Faction or the SJ Faction?"

When Carlisle was asked this question at the post-game press conference, he found himself in a real predicament. He had prepared a whole speech to give the reporters a lesson on defense, to let them know why the Pacers’ defensive system was superior to the Rockets’.

But instead, the first thing they asked was a question like this.

"Uh... I support Jack. Whoever Jack chooses, I’ll support," Carlisle replied diplomatically.

"Hmph! That’s an irresponsible stance! You’re the head coach. You’re supposed to help your players build a healthy aesthetic and a complete moral compass. If you don’t make Jack choose Jessica, you’re a racist, and I’m concerned about your morals..."

A white youth, around 20 years old, stood up and shouted.

Security quickly came over and escorted him out. He was an SJ Faction member posing as a reporter.

This little interlude made Carlisle shrug helplessly.

Then, ESPN asked for his opinion on the two Chinese players, Yao Ming and Su Xi.

"One is a center, and the other is a point guard. They are two extremes. Yao is humble, humorous, cautious, and eager to learn. Jack, on the other hand, has a decisive and daring style. They both possess the outstanding qualities of the Chinese people, and I’m proud that the league has two Chinese stars with such different personalities but such amazing achievements."

Carlisle said in a steady and measured tone.

Next, ESPN asked him another basketball question: "Are you worried that Jack will be isolated at the All-Star Game? You know, not many people approve of him being an All-Star starter."

"I’m not worried. Jack will dispel everyone’s doubts with his actions on the court. Besides, why question Jack’s abilities? He’s set so many ’firsts’ in history," Carlisle said. "He got a quadruple-double in his very first game, he was the NCAA Final Four MOP, and he got a quadruple-double in the college championship game too. No player in the entire NBA has a more decorated pedigree."

Carlisle always argued forcefully on Su Xi’s behalf.

But soon, he was at a loss for whether to laugh or cry.

Because a reporter asked him, "If both Jessica and Scarlett were to show up at his door during the All-Star Game in Los Angeles, as the head coach, what method would you advise him to use to break their zone defense?"

Uh...

"Don’t be ridiculous, sir," Carlisle reminded him politely.

Some laughter erupted in the room.

But one thing was undeniable.

After Scarlett Johansson used her outstanding jumping ability and agility to leap onto Su Xi and deliver a powerful kiss during halftime of the Chinese Derby, the American entertainment world was plunged into a tumultuous era of factional warfare. The SJ Faction, representing the "by-the-book" camp, and the SS Faction, representing the "avant-garde romance" camp, had taken their place on the stage of history.

The curtain had been raised on Su Xi’s rich off-court life.