Chapter 135: Chapter 135: Lost in the Noise
Scarlett Johansson's physique was undeniably stunning.
More importantly, her look aligned perfectly with Eastern aesthetics. Known as the "Black Widow" in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, her cold yet captivating presence earned her the nickname "Widow Sister" among her Chinese fans.
Unlike Kim Kardashian, who boasted exaggerated, disproportionate figures, Scarlett boasted an elegance and balance that made her stand out.
But there was one glaring flaw—her age. Born in 1984, Scarlett was 35 in 2019 and had already had two divorces.
"She's practically old enough to be my mom," Tang Lei muttered with a sigh, shaking his head.
He knew that dinner was guaranteed if he responded to her message, and what might follow was all too predictable. But as tempting as the prospect was, Tang stood firm in his principles.
Though Scarlett's invitation stirred his curiosity, Tang wasn't ready to give away his first time so easily.
"It has to mean something," he thought. "It should be with someone who truly loves me, someone I genuinely care about. Only then would it feel right."
That night, the NBA playoffs were in full swing with three scheduled games: Nuggets vs. Spurs, Blazers vs. Thunder, and Raptors vs. Magic. To maximize viewership, the league staggered the games by an hour, though overlaps were inevitable. Fans had to make tough choices.
At 6 PM, the Nuggets faced the Spurs. Having lost Game 1 by just five points, the Nuggets started sluggishly in Game 2. But in the second half, they found their rhythm, thanks to Jamal Murray's explosive fourth-quarter performance—hitting all eight of his shots and scoring 21 points. The Nuggets rallied to win 114–105, tying the series 1-1.
Later that evening, the Blazers secured a dominant 114–94 victory over the Thunder, taking a commanding 2–0 lead in their series.
Finally, the Raptors roared back against the Magic, firing the entire team on all cylinders to secure a decisive 111–82 victory. The series was now tied at 1-1.
"Makes sense," Tang Lei murmured, watching the highlights. "The Raptors have a well-rounded roster with depth and height off the bench."
The following day, Tang Lei and the Warriors flew to Los Angeles on a chartered plane. After a short rest and a light practice session, the team prepared for Game 3 against the Clippers at Staples Center.
The Clippers shared their home court with the Lakers, though they couldn't compete with the latter in terms of legacy or fanbase. However, with the Lakers missing the playoffs due to LeBron James' late-season injury, the spotlight was firmly on the Clippers.
Even with James healthy by season's end, the Lakers' mediocre roster and standings weren't enough to justify risking further injury. The front office opted to let James sit out, sacrificing his streak of 13 consecutive playoff appearances and 8 straight Finals runs.
Despite these setbacks, Staples Center was packed to capacity. Many fans, however, were there to witness the Warriors in action.
The pregame festivities were lively, but when the game began, the Warriors struggled to find their rhythm.
Two hours later, the scoreboard told the tale: Warriors 121, Clippers 129.
The Clippers, led by Lou Williams' stellar performance, clawed their way back into the series, cutting the Warriors' lead to 2-1. Williams shot 12-of-19 from the field, tallying 33 points, 10 assists, and 4 rebounds. His 8-point outburst in the final minutes sealed the game, snuffing out a Warriors comeback attempt led by Kevin Durant.
Tang Lei, however, had a night to forget. Shooting just 4-of-16, he scored 10 points, grabbed 3 rebounds, and dished out 4 assists. Playing only 19 minutes, he sat out the entire fourth quarter as Steve Kerr benched him.
After the game, Tang sat alone on the bench, staring at the floor in silence. The cacophony of boos and jeers from the Clippers' home crowd had rattled him. He felt lost, overwhelmed by the pressure of an unfamiliar environment.
"Hey, Tang," a familiar voice broke through his thoughts.
Tang looked up to see Curry standing before him, his usual warm smile in place.
"Didn't see you in the locker room. Let's head back together."
Tang hesitated for a moment before nodding. Curry patted his shoulder gently, a silent reassurance.
As the two walked out of the arena, the noise of Staples Center faded behind them, but the weight in Tang's heart lingered.
....
Weekly Power Status
-- Power
Ranking 
-- Power
stone