"Good luck, Chinese boy." The chubby Mexican uncle waved goodbye to Sun Yi, and it was obvious that the two football fans were chatting very speculatively.

"Thank you, safe journey!" Looking at the taxi that gradually drove into the distance, the guy who put on his sunglasses again turned around and entered the golden hotel lobby.

"Hello, is there anything I can do to help you?" A front desk attendant with delicate facial features asked with a very professional smile.

Sun Yi took out the invitation letter and passport from his bag and handed them to the other party, "Could you please see where my room is?" ”

After a little checking, the waiter took out a room card that had been prepared for a long time from the desk. "Sorry to keep you waiting, here's the key to your room."

……

Sun Yi looked at the room with the number 1608 in front of him, it should be right, this is it. I took the electronic room card and swiped it lightly in the sensing area, and the electronic door lock opened with a click.

Sun Yi, who entered the room, was taken aback by the scene in front of him. The room filled with deafening hip-hop music, "Oyey! Check Trouble! ......" is a tall figure standing in front of a huge floor-to-ceiling window overlooking the entire city, swaying to the dynamic music.

As if hearing movement, the figure stopped dancing and turned around.

"It's you!"

"How are you!"

Two surprised voices rang out in unison.

The tall boy was Kevin, whom I hadn't seen for more than a year. Durant, like many black children whose families are struggling to make ends meet, usually pin their yearning for a better life on this kind of laughing, angry, and free music.

Durant, who looked apologetic, hurriedly turned off the switch on the mini stereo, and the whole room finally returned to calm. "I'm sorry, I didn't know you lived here too. When I was alone, I just, just ......"

This is an ordinary standard room, and the only special thing is the huge floor-to-ceiling windows and the view outside. Sun Yi, who hung his bag on the hanger, sat down on the side of the specially lengthened bed. looked at the big boy with a timid expression on the other side, and there was a hint of curiosity and a smile in his cold eyes.

"Hello, I'm Sun Yi. We met last year, right? A faint smile, both polite and distancing.

Kevin. Durant, yes, it was a shame to lose to you last year. However, the Trojans deserved that victory. And, of course, Glenn, who also ...... Sorry, I didn't mean to. The tall and thin guy with a sincere face seemed to realize that some of his words were inappropriate, and quickly apologized.

The other party's cautious appearance amused Sun Yi. With a nonchalant wave of his hand, he got up from the side of the bed and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window. "It's okay, Glenn is fine now. often mention to me the Washington guy who dared to score points with him in the game. ”

When Durant heard this, he had a flattered expression. "Glenn is the most inexplicable opponent I've ever encountered, alas! Without...... Also, you're strong too. As if he wanted to prove himself, it was not an unfounded compliment, and he said in a serious tone: "I watched your competition with Oak Hill High School this year, and there is no suspense about winning. You know, Mike and I grew up and have always been my target to catch up. But I've never beaten him on the pitch, not even once. ”

Hearing this, Sun Yi, who was looking at the scenery outside the window, finally turned around. It seems that this shy big boy, like himself, has his own goal to catch up, and he can continue, but what about himself......

Two children who have nothing to do, in the room you talk about basketball, music, girls, and their families...... In such an atmosphere, two guys of average age quickly became acquainted.

This shy genius scorer makes Sun Yi more and more pleasing to the eye. His hard shell, which is unapproachable, is also melted by the kindness and sincerity of the other party.

Bell bell bell! The phone rings on the bedside table, interrupting the two guys' argument about who was stronger and weaker in his prime, Kobe Bryant and Maddie.

……

"The organizing committee informed us to go to the restaurant at five o'clock for dinner, and in the evening we will arrange for everyone to go to Cox Gymnasium to adapt to the venue." Durant put down the phone in his hand and said to his new friend.

Sun Yi shrugged his shoulders and said that he was respectful.

……

The Hilton Hotel, which was responsible for the reception of the game, deliberately separated an area of the restaurant so that the players could eat without disturbance.

Today's dinner is in a very popular buffet format, where each dish is carefully prepared by those top chefs. Sun Yi sandwiched a fish steak and paired it with some seasonal vegetables, and then found an unmanned table and sat down.

"That's all you eat?" Durant, who was full of all kinds of meat, had an incredible expression on his face.

"Well, it's natural to get used to it, but there's enough energy from these foods." Sun Yi glanced at the large pile of food in front of the other party, and then wandered his gaze around Durant's barely fleshy body.

"Ugh! Well, actually, I want to have a little more muscle, but, but ......" The tall, thin boy who was a little embarrassed by his friends wanted to explain how much he ate.

……

"Hey! Dude, I found you. "Since attending Jordan's training camp last summer, Gerald has had a lot of luck. Henderson, after seeing Sun Yi, immediately ran to join the table of friends. Duke gave another valuable full scholarship spot to the Swingman who burst out this season, and with his eye-catching play, Henderson was named to the Eastern Conference team for this All-Star Game.

"Gerald, this is the restaurant, please pay attention to the image." Seeing his old friend, Sun Yi seemed to be in a good mood, and laughed and teased this guy who was about to become his college teammate.

"Hello." Durant is always so polite.

"Kevin, if only I didn't mind you calling me Gerald." Henderson, who is a bit self-cooked, is not polite at all.

……

After a while, most of the players who participated in the competition came here for dinner. Some people who knew each other before, or had a good relationship, got together in twos and threes.

However, there are two tables of people, which has become the most conspicuous place here. One is Mike. Conley and Greg. Oden, a pair of good friends who are about to enter Ohio State University together, joined Wayne Brown. Ellington and Thaddeus. Poplar. The other table was led by Sun Yi and Durant. Lawson also joined in.

After a brief dinner, the players returned to their rooms to rest and change their bespoke jackets for the game, and at 7 p.m. took the bus to Cosque Stadium to familiarize themselves with the field.