Chapter 161: Postgame Interview — Taylor Swift's Christmas Gift
"Chen! We love you!"
"Chen, you're my hero!"
"Keep killing the Lakers!"
The roar of fans echoed through the tunnel as Chen Yan made his way off the court. Their energy was electric, washing over him in waves.
Right before disappearing into the tunnel, he stopped, grinning.
Then—he turned back.
The crowd erupted. Chen walked back into view, holding up his signature AeroWing Ones, the shoes he'd worn during the game.
This wasn't the first time he'd given away his sneakers, but tonight was different. This pair wasn't even released yet. They were one-of-a-kind.
Every hand in the arena shot up. Every fan screamed louder, hoping to catch his attention.
Chen scanned the stands and spotted a little blonde girl wearing his jersey, her hands trembling as she reached out.
He smiled and handed her one of his sneakers.
The girl burst into tears, hugging it like a treasure. Chen blinked, half laughing, half confused. Guess that's what idol power looks like, he thought.
Then, with a playful grin, he tossed the second shoe to a redheaded girl in the front row. She caught it, jumped three times in excitement, and the crowd lost it. The guys in the section behind her nearly passed out.
"Man, Chen Yan gives gifts… but she just gave blessings to the entire male population," someone joked.
Still smiling, Chen waved to the crowd one last time before heading back into the locker room.
---
Inside, the Suns were loud and laughing, music thumping in the background. The team was celebrating, tossing towels, spraying water bottles, and reliving every highlight from the night.
["Ding!"]
[Win the game: +4 Honor Points!]
["Ding!"]
[Score 50+: +3 Honor Points!]
["Ding!"]
[Win on Christmas Day: +3 Honor Points!]
Chen ignored the notifications. He wanted to enjoy the moment.
But before long, the media stormed the locker room like a flood. Cameras flashed, microphones surrounded him.
A reporter shouted, "Chen, how does it feel to beat the Lakers on Christmas?"
Chen leaned back, smiling. "Feels great. Like taking a hot shower after a long game—you just let it all out."
Laughter rippled through the group.
Another asked, "That alley-oop three-pointer—what were you thinking?"
Chen tilted his head. "What else could I do? The clock was dying."
More laughter. Even the veteran reporters couldn't hold it in.
"Chen, you and Kobe had some intense moments tonight. Do you think the physical play went too far?"
Chen answered calmly, "If the refs don't blow the whistle, it's all fair game. I respect how the league lets players battle it out. And honestly… playing against Kobe brings out my best. That's what competition's about."
It was the perfect answer—respectful, composed, and authentic.
Even the press officer, Mark Nelson, smiled as he stepped in. "Alright, folks, last question! Let's not keep the man all night."
"Every time," Mark muttered afterward with a chuckle. "Chen always gets the whole room talking."
---
Meanwhile, in the Lakers' press room…
Kobe sat in front of the microphones, still drenched in sweat.
When asked about Chen's game-winning shot, he smirked. "It wasn't a normal shot. But it ended the game. If I were a few years younger… I'd probably have trashed the locker room by now."
Laughter broke out, but Kobe wasn't joking.
He'd dropped 51 points, the same as Chen. Yet, only one of them walked away with a win. The sting ran deep.
Another reporter asked, "Kobe, where does this team need to improve?"
"Everywhere," Kobe said bluntly. "But that's okay. Every flaw can be fixed. I still believe in this group."
"And how do you plan to fix it?"
Kobe stared straight at the reporter. "Practice."
Simple. Cold. Dead serious.
After the presser, reporters caught sight of Kobe and Garnett back on the America West Arena floor, working out under dim lights. The two veterans were silent, drenched in sweat, chasing redemption.
Losing hurt—but not as much as not fighting back.
---
Later that night...
The streets were quiet as Chen drove home, the adrenaline fading into a calm sort of emptiness.
Christmas in America was about family, warmth, and togetherness. His family, though, was across the ocean.
He sighed softly. "Guess victory's not enough to fill that gap."
But when he opened his apartment door—
"Click."
The lights came on, revealing a massive, ribbon-wrapped Christmas box in the middle of his living room.
Chen froze.
The box shook.
Is someone in there?
He grabbed the baseball bat leaning against the wall. The box burst open.
"Merry Christmas!"
Taylor Swift popped out, wearing a Reindeer outfit and flashing that bright, playful grin.
Chen blinked. "You... you've got to be kidding me."
Taylor laughed, stepping out of the box. "Surprise! I figured if I couldn't be courtside tonight, I'd at least make sure you came home to something better than an empty apartment."
Chen set the bat down, still smiling in disbelief. "You definitely win the award for the best Christmas present ever."
She leaned in, eyes twinkling. "Then you better make sure I get a good return gift."
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