In fact, there was a fourth and a fifth time.

The fourth time was when Su Xi was traded. In an interview with the Cleveland Plain Dealer, he said: "The sky has cleared! The Cavaliers made the right decision. They decisively chose LeBron, who has a higher ceiling and better talent. My congratulations to them."

The fifth time was when Su Xi made the All-Star ballot and was neck-and-neck with Tracy McGrady in the guard voting. He said: "If this guy becomes an All-Star starter, the value of the All-Star Game will plummet to an all-time low. I can’t imagine the scene of playing with him. It would be a disaster."

Ben Wallace was full of prejudice against Su Xi.

Normally, he should have been mentoring a junior like Su Xi. After all, Su Xi’s style of play in the NCAA championship game was very similar to his own. Both were undersized players who held their own in the paint and played seamless defense.

But not only did Ben Wallace not praise him, he repeatedly belittled him. The better Su Xi played and the more his stock rose, the more uncomfortable Wallace became.

Perhaps Su Xi’s success pricked the painful memories of his own early career.

It might be because he had drifted between various colleges early in his career, gone undrafted, and been quickly kicked out of the NBA... It wasn’t until he started rocking an afro and claiming to be 6’9" that he gradually became a top superstar.

"I’m definitely going to teach that bastard Ben Wallace a lesson tonight."

As they set off for the Pistons’ home court, the Auburn Hills Palace, at noon, Artest said viciously.

The last time he was at the Auburn Hills Palace, he was leveled by an elbow from Ben Wallace. He clutched his chest and yelled for a foul, only to be called a pussy by the Pistons fans on the sidelines!

Artest swore he would get his revenge.

An assistant coach hurried over to remind Artest to control his emotions and not to waste his energy on things outside the game.

At that moment, Su Xi received a call from Bird. Bird encouraged Su Xi to play well in this game, calling it a true battle for the top of the East.

Su Xi knew the meaning behind Bird’s call.

In a way, the Pacers had paid such a high price to trade for him precisely for this kind of high-stakes showdown.

Even though Su Xi had defeated the Pacers before he joined them.

But even before he arrived, the Pacers already had the best record.

Although their win rate improved further after Su Xi’s arrival, making something good even better is far less meaningful than providing help when it’s desperately needed.

What would be considered providing help when it’s desperately needed?

Defeating an opponent they previously couldn’t beat: the Detroit Pistons!

And from another perspective, Su Xi also had to prove to the world that he wasn’t just riding the coattails of the Pacers’ strong system, playing when the sailing was smooth. He was here to lead the Pacers.

...

This game was also nationally broadcast, and it was TNT that was carrying it across the country.

While Su Xi was on the court practicing his shots and getting a feel for the arena, Charles Barkley ran over, pulled him in front of their cameras, and had him sit in the middle for an interview with him and Kenny Smith.

It was an interview that felt more like a kidnapping.

"Hey, Jack, let’s talk about Scarlett, shall we? You know, I’m a big fan of hers. I’ve seen *Lost in Translation* no less than five times. She was so good in it. Any man who watches it would fall for her, but how did you get her to make the first move?" Charles Barkley immediately jumped in, asking about the scandal that had blown up in the media today.

Su Xi gave a helpless smile and said, "Charles, it’s just a misunderstanding. Last night was only the second time I’d ever met her."

"The second time you met?" Kenny said with exaggeration. "And on the second meeting, she’s already kissing your lips."

’I think you’re lying to me and the audience.’

That expression was written all over Kenny Smith’s face.

"It’s the truth," Su Xi said, spreading his hands.

"Kenny, it’s normal for you not to understand the affairs of us handsome guys. Back when I played, a lot of girls would kiss me on the first meeting, even beg me for my love," Barkley reminded Kenny with a serious look.

Smith shot back from the side, "That’s because you paid them."

"Shut up, you ugly freak!" Barkley held up a hand to stop him, then continued asking Su Xi, "So, are you two in contact privately?"

Su Xi said, "No. Yesterday was probably just a misunderstanding that the media blew out of proportion. I came straight here after the Knicks game; it’s a back-to-back. You guys know how packed the NBA schedule is. When would a player have time for a relationship, let alone the two relationships they’re talking about?"

Su Xi’s sentiment resonated with the two former NBA players.

Kenny Smith said, "Yeah, that’s why some people prefer short-term relationships that last about 3 minutes."

Barkley looked as if he’d been insulted. His dark face flushed purple, and he growled like a beast, "30 minutes, to start!!"

Su Xi sat between them, looking pure and innocent. He didn’t quite understand what 3 minutes or 30 minutes meant. ’Isn’t that kind of thing supposed to last all night?’

"Let’s get back to business, Jack. Let’s talk about tonight’s game. The whole league is watching this marquee matchup. You guys are number one in the East, but the media predicts the Pistons are more likely to become the Eastern Conference champions and represent the East in the Finals. After all, the Pacers lost the last two games against them. People think it will be hard for Indiana to beat the Pistons in a best-of-seven series. What are your thoughts on that?"

Kenny Smith began the formal part of the interview.

Su Xi immediately wiped the smile from his face, his expression turning serious. He said, "That’s because I wasn’t here before. Now, I’m here. Things will be different."

As serious as ever, as arrogant as ever.

Kenny Smith was delighted. He quickly laid a trap: "Are you saying that you can lead the Pacers to victory?"

"That’s the reason why Larry Bird went to all the trouble to bring me to Indiana," Su Xi said, stating the simple truth.

"But, Ben Wallace said that after you joined the Pacers, their roster depth actually weakened. And that with your limited stamina, you don’t have much playing time. He said the Pacers are now just a magnificent castle in the air..." Kenny Smith continued to stir the pot.

"He’s very naive," Su Xi said lightly.

"You mean you can beat him?" Kenny continued, digging the hole deeper.

"That’s what I came here to do," Su Xi said. "Besides, I already beat them before I came to Indiana."

WOW!

Brilliant!

Kenny Smith cheered internally. He loved interviewing Su Xi. The kid was just so arrogant. With an interviewee like this, how could he ever worry about ratings?

Charles Barkley couldn’t quite watch this anymore. He really liked Su Xi, so he tried to smooth things over a bit. "Jack, I remember your nickname in the NCAA was the ’Genius Terminator,’ but tonight the Pistons are a team of commoners. I think that might affect your performance. After all, if there’s no genius to terminate, it’s hard to get motivated."

Su Xi could have gone along with it, or just laughed it off.

It was an easy out.

But Su Xi didn’t take it.

He said something that made even Larry Bird feel his ’King Bi’ status was in jeopardy, a line that Indiana fans would come to consider the most badass in team history.

"It doesn’t matter."

"I’ll swat the tigers and the flies together."

Su Xi said this calmly and composedly.

Barkley and Smith’s jaws dropped at the same time.

So arrogant! This kid.

Has the NBA ever seen such an arrogant rookie?

...