After Tang Long entered, he found only Sasha at home, realizing he had been tricked.
“Where is Mrs. Brandon? Isn’t she home?” Tang Long asked.
Sasha smiled and shook her head.
Then, with a seductive smile, she pulled Tang Long to sit on the sofa.
“Now, let’s have a good talk about the lease termination, shall we?” Sasha’s eyes were alluring as she nuzzled against Tang Long’s chest.
She still carried a faint scent of alcohol, clearly having returned from a nightclub in the early hours. Her sleepwear was made of a special material, half revealing, half concealing, her snow-white back completely exposed. The air was thick with rising hormones!
Tang Long sighed inwardly, realizing he had walked into a tiger’s den. Previously, whenever he encountered Sasha, she had either just finished a match or a training session, leaving her with little energy. But today, Tang Long was well-rested and brimming with vigor!
Unconsciously, his clothes fell to the floor.
“Miss Sasha, discussing lease termination like this isn’t ideal. However, I’m quite enjoying it!”
…
An hour later, Sasha was nestled contentedly in Tang Long’s arms.
“Tang, I knew you were fierce, but I never expected you to be this fierce! Damn it, you’re so much better than those guys who look good but are useless!”
“If I could be your woman forever, I’d be over the moon!”
Tang Long couldn’t help but laugh, “Are you kidding me? If I’m not fierce, who is?”
After more than an hour of “intense combat,” Sasha was thoroughly conquered by Tang Long! She had fallen deeply in love with this Dragon country man. His tall physique, robust build, and exceptionally skilled technique… of course, referring to his skills on the basketball court.
“Tang, are you really moving out? It’ll be so inconvenient for me to find you then,” Sasha said reluctantly, wishing she could move into Tang Long’s home immediately.
“It’s fine, you have my number anyway,” Tang Long had made up his mind and wouldn’t easily change it.
“Alright then, but I’ll keep this room for you. You can come back anytime you wish,” Sasha, seeing Tang Long’s firm resolve, had to compromise.
Soon, Tang Long signed the contract and packed his belongings. He would look at a new house tomorrow; the rental place still needed a little tidying up.
The next day.
Bill Duffy drove to pick up Tang Long, heading straight for the villa district near the Quickens Loans Arena.
“I’ve considered it for you. The salary isn’t very high, but the Cavaliers’ management has high hopes for you. If you can maintain this form for a year, they’ll offer you a new contract, which will be at least a supermax deal! Also, several brands have approached you for small endorsements, but I’ve turned them all down,” Bill Duffy said while driving, as Tang Long had become incredibly popular recently, and Duffy had put in a lot of effort.
Tang Long nodded, acknowledging Bill Duffy as a truly excellent agent. Many players of modest means would accept small endorsements to supplement their income. However, these deals often came with many restrictive clauses that could hinder future lucrative endorsements. Bill Duffy had rejected them all on Tang Long’s behalf. As a future star of the league, there was no need to worry about securing major endorsements; it was only a matter of time.
Upon arriving at the villa district, the local manager personally greeted them. Due to its proximity to the Quickens Loans Arena, many players and staff lived there. However, most leased their properties. Clients like Tang Long, who purchased directly, were rare. Bill Duffy had done his homework and recommended several small villas to Tang Long.
“I highly recommend this three-story compact villa. It’s around eight million US dollars and comes with a yard, an outdoor pool, a backyard, and a garage. It’s more than enough for your daily needs, and the price isn’t too high for you right now.”
…
Tang Long listened intently and finally chose the first one. The villa wasn't excessively large but was perfectly adequate, and spacious enough for hosting teammates for gatherings. The price was moderate, something the current Tang Long could easily afford. After signing, Tang Long left, leaving the rest to Bill Duffy.
At one in the afternoon, the Cavaliers players gathered at the stadium. After the game against the Magic, Coach Mike Brown had given them half a day off to rest and adjust their condition.
“Your performance in Orlando was excellent! But don’t get complacent; continue to train diligently!” Coach Brown, buoyed by their seven-game winning streak, spoke in a friendly tone. The players began their training under the guidance of the assistant coaches.
“Tang, I heard you bought a new house?” LeBron James approached Tang Long during a break in training. Bill Duffy was LeBron’s recommended agent, so they were naturally connected.
“That’s right! I’ll invite you over as soon as I move in!” Tang Long laughed heartily, excited about his new house. He attributed a significant part of his promotion to the starting lineup to LeBron’s help, so he naturally wanted to invite him first. LeBron nodded in agreement, happy for his good friend’s new home.
“Aren’t you inviting us too?” Drew Gooden and Larry Hughes crowded around, happily expressing their desire to visit Tang Long’s place. Tang Long readily agreed to all of them.
After a brief chat, the conversation shifted to the game against the Magic.
“Tang, your footwork when you back down Dwight was incredible! It had a touch of the dream shake! Can you teach me?” Drew Gooden looked at Tang Long with admiration.
“Sure! No problem!” Without hesitation, they began practicing on the court.
“When you turn, you need a shoulder shimmy; don’t just turn directly. That’s how you deceive the defender!” Tang Long meticulously broke down the moves, explaining them step by step. Drew Gooden, not being foolish, found his rhythm after a few repetitions and performed it quite convincingly.
“Yes!! I’ve got some post moves now! I’ll try them in the next game!”
“Tang, thank you! I love you!” Westerners always expressed their emotions directly.
“Tang, I want to learn too! Don’t leave me out!” Anderson Varejão, the Cavaliers' backup center, cried out, fearing he might miss out.
Now, all the interior players surrounded Tang Long. Who wouldn’t want to master refined post-up moves?
Mike Brown watched his players with a smile. The team hadn’t had such harmonious training in a long time. Locker room conflicts were a perennial headache for many head coaches; a positive atmosphere led to excellent on-court performance and good results. Many head coaches were forced to leave their positions unceremoniously due to their inability to handle locker room disputes. But Mike Brown had no such worries. With LeBron and Tang Long in the team, a good locker room atmosphere was guaranteed!
The Cavaliers had achieved seven consecutive victories, topping the Eastern Conference and leaving the Celtics and Magic behind! If they maintained this momentum, not only the playoffs but also the championship title seemed within reach!
…