"Like what?"
Hearing Bill Dafei's mention of an unimaginable benefit, Tang Long casually asked.
"Let me tell you, with more exposure to these people, you can build your own brand in the future. Don't you want to have your own clothing brand in America? Besides, that's tens of millions a year, more than your NBA salary."
Bill Dafei continued to chatter like a machine gun: "Think about it, you just need to wear underwear for a photoshoot and attend a few events a year to earn ten million, and US dollars at that. Why are you hesitating about such a good thing? If it were me, I'd be willing to do it even without underwear."
"Moreover, you have such a great physique. Don't you want to show those single women in America what a perfect body truly looks like?"
"Bill, I think you've gone completely mad about money."
Tang Long chuckled and cursed.
"No, wealth only brings me temporary happiness."
Just as Tang Long thought Bill Dafei had a change of heart, he immediately added: "So, to keep me happy, I have to make money desperately."
"Fuck."
Tang Long cursed inwardly, but he had to admit that Bill Dafei's words made sense.
The prospect of building his own brand in America was indeed very tempting.
It's just an underwear advertisement, so he'll do it.
"Also, Tang, your Lunar New Year is coming up soon. You should film a New Year's video to send back home, letting everyone know that even though you're in America, your heart is still with China."
"Bill, you don't understand. Our New Year refers to Lunar New Year's Eve, much like your Christmas."
"Tang, it's you who doesn't understand, isn't it?" Bill Dafei retorted. "The All-Star voting has already started. Look at Yao, he even made the league change its voting rules once. With so many fans in China, don't you want them to vote for you?"
"Bill, with my current strength and the Cavaliers' record, can't I make the All-Star team yet?"
"How can that be the same?"
Bill Dafei wanted to explain to Tang Long that in America, all the grand pronouncements were actually based on commercial value.
If Tang Long's commercial value didn't meet expectations, even if he made the All-Star team, he'd be a bench warmer.
"Forget it, you just need to film a short segment suitable for the New Year. I'll handle the rest."
With two commercial projects successfully secured, Bill Dafei hung up the phone with satisfaction.
"Tang, what are you so excited about? Why do I hear talk of underwear?"
James came over, slung an arm around Tang Long's shoulder, and teased him.
Tang Long had been so agitated during the phone call, and the mention of underwear had clearly led the Cavaliers players to misunderstand.
"Tang, I didn't expect this from you. I thought you were a good man in our team, but it turns out you've been secretly hiding your true colors."
Larry Hughes chimed in, joining James in teasing Tang Long.
Big Z, who had been the subject of Catherine's teasing, now stood up for Tang Long: "Tang, I believe you're not that kind of person."
"Big Z, you're the only one who understands me." 138 reading network
Big Z then shrugged helplessly: "But they don't believe you, and there's nothing I can do about it. You should just tell the truth."
"Tell the truth about what a load of crap!"
Tang Long glared at them, about to righteously defend his integrity, when the locker room door opened, and Xiao Gen walked in with a microphone, her face flushed.
"Look, she's already chased us to the locker room."
"I really don't know why this guy is so popular?"
"Exactly, I have six-pack abs too, why isn't anyone interviewing me?"
"Uh... is it, perhaps, not a good time for me to come? I'll come back later to interview you all."
"Ignore them."
Tang Long pulled James over.
"Interview him, and I guarantee your TV station's ratings will triple tomorrow."
"No, I won't be a third wheel. I'll interview you instead."
James quipped, then gave the others a look. They all moved to the other side, leaving Xiao Gen to Tang Long, who was in the ice bath.
Hearing the Cavaliers players whispering amongst themselves, Xiao Gen's face turned even redder.
Especially with Tang Long's current pose, it was rather indecent, yet her eyes couldn't help but linger.
"If you want to look, just look openly,"
Tang Long said as he stood up.
"Oh my!! Tang, you..."
Xiao Gen exclaimed, nearly dropping her microphone.
Her face was already red and her head bowed, afraid to look directly at Tang Long. When she bowed her head, she happened to see Tang Long's eight-pack abs.
Those explosive muscles, that robust physique, the strong masculine hormones radiating all around!
Xiao Gen felt her face burning.
"I'll wait until you guys change and then I'll interview you."
Xiao Gen blurted out, then hurried out. The Cavaliers players immediately started to heckle.
Tang Long and his teammates joked around for a while before they all left the locker room to be interviewed by Xiao Gen.
After the interview, the teammates, with tacit understanding, didn't drag Tang Long out for more fun. Instead, they gave meaningful whistles to Tang Long and Xiao Gen.
"Where do you live? I'll give you a ride back."
"Ah, okay."
Xiao Gen's flushed cheeks suddenly drooped.
The refusal was quite clear. Xiao Gen was a rather shy girl. If it were Scarlett or Gal Gadot, they might have already dragged Tang Long to a bar.
Along the way, Xiao Gen fiddled with her fingers, her face cycling through red and white. One moment she wondered how Tang Long, a star player at the peak of his career, could like her. The next, she thought she wasn't bad herself, and Tang Long just had poor taste. Her thoughts alternated between these two extremes.
"We're here."
The car stopped in front of Xiao Gen's house. Tang Long called out, but Xiao Gen seemed not to hear.
"Xiao Gen."
"Oh."
Xiao Gen finally came to her senses, glanced at Tang Long, opened her mouth, but swallowed the words she was about to say, and slowly opened the car door.
A gentle night breeze blew, scattering her hair on both sides and also ruffling her heart.
She felt a sense of injustice, her eyes felt a little sore.
But afraid that Tang Long would see her negative emotions, she hurried her pace.
"Xiao Gen, I'm going to film a commercial tomorrow. Are you interested in coming along?"
"Ah?"
Xiao Gen was stunned for a moment, then quickly reacted and nodded repeatedly: "Yes."
"Alright, I'll pick you up tomorrow morning then."
"Mhm."
Xiao Gen nodded lightly, feeling a mysterious power about to burst forth in her chest, making her so excited she wanted to dance.
Tang Long shook his head helplessly.
He watched Xiao Gen happily return home before slowly getting out of the car and patting the vehicle behind him: "Hey, buddy, you've been following me for a long time!"