Chapter 173: A Match with Taylor Swift, Attribute Boosts, and a New Mansion
After a long and grueling January, the Suns finally got a two-day break to kick off February.
Coach Mike D'Antoni gave the team a full day off—a rare chance to rest and recharge. Balance was key to maintaining elite performance, after all.
Chen Yan didn't hit the gym that morning, but he couldn't sit still either. He stayed home, running through shooting drills in his private court.
And this time, he wasn't alone.
Taylor Swift had flown in from Los Angeles to spend the day with him.
Naturally, their reunion started the only way it could—with a one-on-one game.
Since it had been a while since they last met, the scrimmage was full of playful intensity.
Chen Yan came out sharp, cutting through Taylor's defense with quick crossovers before launching a barrage of jumpers.
Swish!
Swish!
Swish!
Three straight makes.
Taylor threw her hands up in mock frustration, laughing as she tried to catch her breath.
"Okay, okay—you win!" she panted, leaning against him.
Chen Yan chuckled and pulled her close. "You're improving though. Last time you didn't even touch the ball."
She gave him a light punch in the chest. "Flattery won't save you next time."
After their game, Chen Yan opened his system interface. It was time to use his Honor Points and strengthen his attributes.
Despite a strong January, he hadn't broken any major records. The only accolade he'd earned was Rookie of the Month, which gave him a total of 72 Honor Points to spend.
He got to work.
He used 20 points to raise his Mid-Range Shooting by two, bumping it up to 90—joining his already elite three-point rating.
Both his mid-range and long-range shooting were now at the same level. That 90 mark wasn't just a number—it meant Chen had officially stepped into the realm of pure shooters.
Still, he wasn't satisfied. There was always more room to grow.
He spent another 10 points to increase his Layup ability, improving his finishing touch at the rim.
Then, 12 more points went toward Rebounding, something he'd been paying attention to. Too often in January, he'd been one or two boards shy of a triple-double.
Triple-doubles didn't just look good—they earned extra honor points. So investing in rebounding was a strategic move, creating a loop of growth and reward.
Finally, Chen Yan decided to reserve 30 Honor Points for emergency healing. Injuries were unpredictable, and he wasn't about to take chances.
He opened his updated player card:
Name: Chen Yan
Height: 198 cm
Weight: 94 kg
Wingspan: 218 cm
Standing Jump: 102 cm
Running Jump: 110 cm
Ball Control: 90
Speed: 94
Stamina: 90
Vision: 84
Breakthrough: 90
Layup: 87
Mid-Range: 90
Three-Point: 90
Free Throw: 80
Passing: 85
Positioning: 90
Steals: 88
Strength: 81
Rebounding: 79
Defense: 85
Blocks: 71
Spirit: 96
Skills: Godly Steal, Answer Crossover, Shadow Tracker, Hot Start (Passive), Perfect Hand (Passive), Acrobatic Finisher (Passive), Godly Pull-Up, Pass Master Lv.2, Sam Gold, Heart of Iron (Passive)
Honor Points Remaining: 30
Overall Rating: S
Chen nodded, satisfied. Half a season into his rookie year, and his growth was already beyond what most players achieved in years.
Later that afternoon, Chen and Taylor met Bill Duffy—his agent—for lunch.
Between bites, the conversation turned from basketball to real estate.
"Chen," Duffy said, sliding a folder across the table, "with your contracts and endorsements growing fast, it's time to think long-term. Maybe buy a place of your own."
Chen nodded. He'd been renting a luxury apartment downtown, but the place felt cramped lately. Between practices, interviews, and Taylor's visits, he wanted something larger, quieter—a place to breathe.
And truth be told, he wanted to enjoy the fruits of his work.
He was ready to buy his first villa.
Duffy opened the folder and laid out several listings.
"Here's the first one," he said, pointing at the glossy photos. "Six bedrooms, eight bathrooms, a private theater, billiards room, gym, and sauna. About 650 square meters total. Divided into living and entertainment areas. Asking price: $3.25 million."
He added with a grin, "It's near a private hospital and some top-rated schools—great for future family planning."
Taylor turned bright red. "We're not exactly planning kids yet," she said quickly, hiding her smile behind a glass of water.
Chen laughed. "You've been spending too much time around him, Bill. You're starting to sound like a dad."
Duffy chuckled, then flipped to the next property.
"This one's in one of Phoenix's most exclusive neighborhoods. Classic architecture, a main house, guest quarters, six-car garage, garden, and a massive pool. Inside, it has a library, billiard room, kitchen, a fireplace between the living and dining rooms, and even a wine cellar. The guest house has eight bedrooms, two luxury suites, a spa, an air-conditioned doghouse, and a small indoor basketball court. Over 900 square meters total. Asking price: $5.1 million."
"Lastly," Duffy continued, "a mansion in North Phoenix—1,600 square meters, with 19 guest rooms, six bedrooms, eight bathrooms, fountains, a home theater, and landscaped gardens. That one's going for $7.5 million."
Chen raised an eyebrow. "Bill, are you my agent or a real estate mogul?"
Duffy smiled modestly. "Hey, I do it all for my clients."
Chen turned to Taylor. "So, which one do you like?"
Taylor thought for a moment, her blue eyes scanning the photos. "The second one," she said. "It's beautiful—and it feels like home."
Chen nodded. He agreed.
The first was too far from the arena; the commute alone would be torture. The third one? Too much. He wanted a villa, not a fortress.
But the second—spacious, private, luxurious, and practical—was perfect. The nearby golf and horse-riding facilities didn't hurt either.
Their tastes were perfectly aligned.
That afternoon, they toured the property with the listing agent.
As soon as they stepped through the entrance, Taylor gasped.
"This is amazing!" she said, spinning in place, admiring the interior design.
The villa's atmosphere was warm but grand. Sunlight poured through floor-to-ceiling windows. Marble floors gleamed. The pool sparkled outside the glass doors.
Chen took it all in, smiling. "This one. We'll take it."
Taylor grinned, eyes shining.
Bill Duffy handled the rest—paperwork, negotiation, inspection.
Chen didn't care much for the details. When he liked something, he acted. That was how he lived now.
The price tag—$5.1 million—wasn't small, but for Chen Yan, it felt right.
Not excessive. Not reckless.