NBA: The Dynasty Crasher

Chapter 16: Attributes of a Scumbag

At the scene, Zhao Dong was being interviewed by CCTV.

"Zhao Dong, congratulations on your 20+10 performance! You played so beautifully!" Zhang Lili said cheerfully.

"Eh, it was alright. I just hope the domestic fans are happy," Zhao Dong replied with a modest shrug.

"You know, Zhao Dong, the hotline at the station has been flooded with fans, all praising your performance," Sun Zhenping chuckled.

"Really? That's good to hear," Zhao Dong smiled.

After chatting for a while, Zhao Dong returned to the locker room. The post-game press conference didn't include him. Van Gundy only called on Ewing and Oakley, but Zhao Dong didn't mind. After taking a shower, he grabbed his bag and boarded the bus.

"I'll have money in a few days. I'll get Wells to buy me a car so it's easier to pick up girls," he thought to himself. With no cash in hand, he had already applied for an advance of half a year's salary, which was $400,000. After tax deductions, he would be left with around $245,176. From broke to a small-time rich guy, not bad.

Once a guy gets money, he starts acting like a scumbag, and women become "bad." Zhao Dong was no different. His newly found wealth made him think more about... those things.

Back at his dorm, Zhao Dong immediately called his family.

"Hello..." Zhao Yuancheng answered the phone.

"Dad, it's Zhao Dong. Where's Mom?" Zhao Dong asked hastily.

"Zhao, what's up with you? Are you still a kid? Speak up, what's bothering you? Anything your old man can't handle? Just spit it out," Zhao Yuancheng replied, his tone a mix of frustration and concern.

Zhao Dong chuckled. "Dad, didn't I promise to buy you a Santana? But with that attitude of yours, I think I'll get you a Xiali instead."

"You little brat, messing with your father now? Are you getting too cocky?" Zhao Yuancheng pretended to scold him.

"Move aside, let me talk to my son!" Li Meizhu's voice interrupted.

"What are you saying? Your son isn't my son now? If that's the case, we've got a problem," Zhao Yuancheng retorted.

"Just step aside," Li Meizhu snapped.

"Mom, I signed a huge contract, over $10 million!" Zhao Dong shouted excitedly.

"$10 million? How are you planning to spend it?" Li Meizhu asked with genuine excitement.

"Spend it like a fool! Why don't you ever think about saving? You're always thinking about spending!" Zhao Yuancheng scolded.

"My son can earn it, I'm just thinking of enjoying it. What're you gonna do about it?" Li Meizhu shot back with a smug smile.

"Alright, alright, you win," Zhao Yuancheng said, helpless.

"Mom, did you watch the game today?" Zhao Dong asked.

"Of course we did. Your dad and I took the day off work, moved the TV to the yard, and invited the old neighbors. They were all singing your praises," Li Meizhu said proudly.

The next day, the team didn't have practice. Zhao Dong had a few hours of shooting practice in the morning, hitting his target of [800] shots. The New York media was in full swing, mocking the Bulls and Jordan.

"He's an old troublemaker who used to meddle in team affairs. To keep his influence, he pushed out a future All-Star. The Bulls could have signed Zhao Dong for free," reported The New York Times.

"With his 20+10 performance, even if Zhao Dong has no potential, he's still worth a four-year, $12 million contract based on his immediate impact," reported New York Sports.

Meanwhile, in Chicago, Jordan was swarmed by the media again. But this time, he refused to give any interviews. He knew that no matter what he said, as long as Zhao Dong kept posting good numbers, he'd keep facing criticism. Jordan had to step up his game, and in the four regular-season games against the Knicks, he had to completely shut down the rookie. That night, Jordan led the Bulls to a victory against the Heat at home, scoring 44 points, grabbing 8 rebounds, and providing 6 assists in 47 minutes. The media quieted down for a moment.

In the afternoon, Zhao Dong borrowed Wells' car and drove back to Long Island. He needed to visit Stony Brook University to check on Alice. It had been a while since they'd last met, and he didn't want her to get "poached."

As soon as Zhao Dong parked the car under a dorm building, a few students recognized him.

"Hey, Zhao Dong!" "Look, the Wolf King is back!" "Former Wolf King. Back to steal some meat?" "Shit, Zhao Dong's back to pick up chicks, huh? Professional players still taking our resources?"

Zhao Dong smirked. "Hey, don't you know? All the beautiful girls at Stony Brook are part of my resource bank. It's been that way and will always be," he yelled back at one of the black students joking about him "taking resources."

"I hope you enjoy your Viagra soon," the guy yelled back, flipping Zhao Dong off.

Zhao Dong just shook his head and walked into the dorm building.

"I'll be having fun while you all stay here trying to figure out why your life's so boring," he thought as he reached the fourth floor and knocked on the door of the second dormitory on the right.

"Zhao Dong? Hmph!" The door opened after five seconds to reveal a handsome man with short blond hair. When he saw Zhao Dong, he hesitated before turning around and walking back inside.

"Alice?" Zhao Dong's heart skipped a beat as he saw her. It had been over 20 years since he last saw her, and the sight of her youthful beauty made his pulse quicken. He stepped inside, closed the door behind him, and looked around.

"Zhao Dong, what are you sneaking around for?" Alice shot him a sharp look, grabbing a cloth bag from the sofa and tossing it at him.

"Haha..." Zhao Dong caught the bag, feeling awkward. "Alice, I was just thinking you might be hiding something good in there."

"Really? You're that insecure now? What do you want to drink?" Alice responded, still annoyed.

"Just a glass of water. It's not about insecurity, but more about how complicated society is and how simple you are. You're a treasure, and there are too many wild dogs out there trying to steal you away," Zhao Dong said as he sat down on the sofa.

Alice handed him a glass of water before sitting on his lap. "Aren't you the Wolf King? Still worried about wild dogs?"

"It's not about fear. Beauty is rare. If you're locked in a safe, eventually some wild dog will break in and take you," Zhao Dong explained casually.

"So what?" Alice raised an eyebrow, still skeptical.

"Well, I'll admit it. I don't really care about the wild dogs. I'll fall in love with you when I like you the most," Zhao Dong said with a grin.

"Oh, you bloody scoundrel! Tell me, how long can you love me?" Alice snapped.

"I admit it, I'm a scumbag, and even the best antivirus software can't fix that," Zhao Dong grinned. "But don't worry about how long I'll love you. From now on, I'm your exclusive firefighter—you're the fire."

"Alice, you're really a scoundrel!" she retorted, but before she could finish, Zhao Dong gently lifted her chin and kissed her lips.

Two hours later, Zhao Dong left Stony Brook University, feeling refreshed.

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