Chapter 223: Chapter 38: What Su Xi Wants Is the Super Agility Talent, Lady

Carlisle was worried. He said to Su Xi, "Jack, Garnett isn’t going to let this go. I have a feeling they’re going to come after you with everything they’ve got in the second half."

He knew Su Xi’s personality. Su Xi was the type to never back down, to fight fire with fire until the very end.

However, the current situation was not in Su Xi’s favor.

The Eastern Conference Team was hardly a united front. Many of its stars were unhappy about Su Xi making the starting lineup. That was to say nothing of players like Ben Wallace, who had a ’blood feud’ with him.

So, if the Western Conference Team, rallied by Garnett, came aggressively looking for trouble, many of the Eastern All-Stars might just stand by and watch.

Most importantly, Su Xi had already won. No one had expected much from him at the All-Star Game. Some even thought he’d be completely ostracized. Instead, he’d had an MVP-caliber first half, delivered the most highlight-reel plays, and even dunked all over Garnett, stunning everyone in the arena.

He could quit while he was ahead.

Carlisle tactfully suggested that Su Xi could sit out the second half.

But Su Xi refused.

Su Xi said, "The more agitated and angry they get, the better it is for me. I love competing against opponents who are furious and reckless."

This was something Carlisle found hard to understand.

But this was Su Xi’s way of ’getting stronger.’ He had only achieved his 99 Super Explosiveness because Stadumier had been pushed to the peak of his anger in the last game. ’What if Garnett’s rage boils over in the second half and helps me boost my other talents?’

For others, this was a risk.

But for Su Xi, it was an opportunity.

"Besides, no rookie has ever won the MVP in their very first All-Star Game in their first season. I want to give it a shot." As Su Xi spoke, a brilliant ambition flashed in his eyes.

"But what about your stamina?" Carlisle asked.

"That’s why this requires a detailed plan."

Su Xi told Carlisle, then leaned in and whispered in his ear.

At first, Carlisle’s brow was furrowed, but then his expression relaxed.

...

The second half began soon after.

Su Xi was nowhere to be seen on the court. It was as if he had vanished.

He had stolen the show in the first half, and the image of Kenny Smith kissing a donkey during halftime had pushed his fame to its peak.

But now, where had he gone?

Everyone was curious.

The Eastern Conference Team’s starting lineup was: Allen Iverson, Tracy McGrady, Vince Carter, Little O’Neal, and Ben Wallace.

Kenny Smith, who had washed his face, said, "This is the real starting lineup for the Eastern Conference Team."

After the ’donkey humiliation,’ Smith had completely let himself go. He felt he had nothing left to lose; a man who had already lost face could be shameless and bold. He was no longer silent as he had been in the first half. He was fired up, furiously dishing out his opinions.

"Little Sheep Su Xi ran away like a coward after provoking Garnett! He knew he couldn’t handle the Wolf King’s wrath. He’s just a guy who pretends to be tough."

He spewed his taunts on live television.

Meanwhile, Garnett was fuming on the court, a belly full of rage ready to be unleashed. But just as he gathered his forces, ready to take brutal revenge for the humiliation he’d suffered...

Su Xi was gone.

He asked Tracy McGrady, but Tracy told him: "I don’t know."

He was absolutely furious, cursing him for a coward, but it was no use.

Garnett knew full well. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

No matter the final score, everyone would remember Su Xi dunking on Garnett in this game.

He was stuck with that humiliation.

That’s why Garnett was so, so angry.

But besides being angry, what else could he do? Nothing.

Seeing that Su Xi wasn’t playing, the stars on the Western Conference Team also started to play lazily.

The Eastern Conference, however, didn’t want to squander the huge lead Su Xi had built. Tracy McGrady, in particular, played with great effort.

He wanted the All-Star Game MVP. He wanted to take home the night’s most brilliant trophy.

So, thanks to his all-out performance, the East maintained its lead.

The third quarter ended quickly.

Amidst Kenny Smith’s incessant chanting of "coward," "wimp," and "hit and run," the Eastern Conference Team was ahead by 6 points.

At this point, even Carlisle was frowning. ’Didn’t Jack say he’d be back halfway through the third quarter? What’s going on? Did the plan change?’

Barkley noticed something was off. "Scarlett is gone!"

"Ladies and gentlemen, Scarlett Johansson has disappeared."

"I know why Jack isn’t on the court! He must have gone on a date with Scarlett."

"Of course romance is more important than basketball. Besides, Jack has already proven himself tonight. He was the best player in the first half."

"..."

His words caused an immediate uproar.

Barkley was, in fact, right.

Su Xi was talking with Scarlett, though it hadn’t quite reached the level of a date.

Su Xi had originally planned to rest in the treatment room for a bit and then head out halfway through the third quarter.

There were two reasons for this. First, his stamina really wasn’t great, and he couldn’t maintain a high level of performance for long. Moreover, the situation Carlisle described was very real; if Su Xi clashed with Garnett, some of his own teammates would surely pull the rug out from under him.

So, he decided to just disappear for a while and let his ’teammates’ have their moment to shine.

This objective was clearly achieved.

Scoring champion Tracy McGrady played his heart out in the third quarter for the MVP award. He’d never played this hard even in the playoffs, his famously sleepy eyes wide open from start to finish.

The second reason was to disrupt the momentum that Garnett and his allies were trying to build. Let their aggressive punches land on soft cotton. Once that initial burst of energy was spent, it would be much harder to build it up again.

This objective was also achieved.

However, when Su Xi emerged from the treatment room halfway through the third quarter, he ran right into Scarlett Johansson.

Seeing that Su Xi wasn’t playing, Scarlett Johansson had cleverly come backstage to find him.

"Jack!" She was overjoyed to see Su Xi. Lately, she had been dreaming of him every single night. His mark was seared into the depths of her soul. She had long since lost interest in other men; she was completely and utterly captivated by Su Xi.

Seeing Scarlett, Su Xi was also pleasantly surprised. Unbeknownst to him, he had also formed a bond with Scarlett. Her image had taken up residence in his mind... as if a special contract had been formed between them.

Ever since being struck by lightning, Su Xi seemed to have developed many ’side effects’.

For example, becoming incredibly handsome and extremely attractive to women.

For another, once a woman was ’chosen’ by him, she would have eyes for no other man.

"Hello, Scarlett," Su Xi said, extending his hand. He wanted to greet her like a gentleman.

Although the media had hyped their ’couple pairing’ to the point of global recognition, this was only the third time they had actually met.

Scarlett could no longer suppress the longing surging within her, and she threw her arms around Su Xi in a tight hug.

After a long moment, she reluctantly let go.

Then, she took the initiative and began talking to Su Xi, telling him about her upbringing, the unforgettable regrets in her life, and her plans for the future.

She wished she could tell him everything about herself all at once.

This was her way of expressing her affection.

Su Xi was touched.

So, he stopped to listen to Scarlett speak.

It wasn’t until he looked up at the time that he realized the fourth quarter had already begun.

He quickly said to Scarlett, "I have to go play."

"Okay, Jack. I hope you get everything you want." Scarlett waved. "I’ll come find you in Indiana."

"Okay. I’ll be waiting for you in Indiana."

Su Xi gave Scarlett a definite answer.

This made Scarlett’s heart flutter with joy.

As Su Xi started to walk away, Scarlett’s voice followed him. "Jack, I want you to know that I love you without reservation. I can grant all of your wishes."

Hearing this, Su Xi’s eyes lit up. He turned around, his gaze a little intense, and asked Scarlett, "All of them?"

"Uh..."

Scarlett was a bit flustered by his sudden turn. She said weakly, "How about we start with half? This is a public place, after all."

Huh?

Su Xi realized Scarlett had gotten the wrong idea.

’The thing I want most is the Super Agility talent!’

...