Chapter 122: The Understanding Auntie

After the turnover, the Clippers retreated on defense.

Mobley quietly asked He Xinghui, “He, do you want some help with the defense?”

He Xinghui and Anthony were locked in a star player showdown, so Mobley hesitated to interfere too quickly—this was a matter of pride between the stars.

“Isn’t that obvious? The team’s victory is what matters most,” He Xinghui replied.

“...”

Mobley’s worries proved unnecessary. When did this guy ever care about pride?

He wanted to make a sarcastic remark but decided against it.

The Nuggets were on offense, and the ball was back in Anthony’s hands.

Suddenly, Mobley dashed forward, cutting right in front of Anthony.

Clearly caught off guard, Anthony was immediately trapped by Mobley and He Xinghui, unable to dribble or pivot.

He Xinghui’s hand repeatedly tried to swipe the ball away.

Andre Miller attempted to come over for support but was a step too late; He Xinghui intercepted the pass.

The Clippers launched a fast break, and Mobley scored two points.

“Cameron, you should learn to organize the offense like LeBron; that’s how you bring your teammates into the game,” He Xinghui offered ‘kind’ advice.

In his previous life, He Xinghui had seen and experienced many such ‘well-meaning people’ who were endlessly eager to advise others on marriage, buying cars and houses, or finding good jobs.

So he understood all too well how annoying these so-called “helpful” remarks could be.

The funniest part was that no matter how upset the recipient was, they couldn’t lash out without seeming ungrateful.

Today, He Xinghui decided to play the role of the ‘well-meaning auntie’ and have a little chat with Anthony.

In the next possession, He Xinghui began, “Cameron, you should learn from LeBron—don’t argue with the coach, follow the game plan, and the media will praise you…”

Anthony had so many issues that needed addressing: arguing with the coach, carrying a big attitude, refusing to play, cheating scandals…

“Shut up,” Anthony snapped angrily.

He knew all these truths but simply didn’t like to act that way.

“Sigh, you’re such a person. I’m just giving you good advice, why are you so quick to get angry?” He Xinghui feigned innocence.

Angry Anthony forgot the coach’s instructions again and started taking a flurry of isolation plays.

It was as if he was trying to prove to He Xinghui that he didn’t need advice to play well.

Such behavior was rather childish.

If He Xinghui was guarding him one-on-one, this might have worked.

But He Xinghui shamelessly called for backup and kept double-teaming him.

Soon, Anthony paid the price for his rashness.

Two missed shots, two turnovers, and the team’s lead slipped from five points ahead to four points behind, forcing George Karl to call a timeout.

“What are you doing, Cameron? Do you think this is college ball where you can run wild? Have you forgotten about teamwork, cooperation, and passing?” George Karl shouted.

George Karl had a distinctive trait: he could get average players to perform well together, but whenever there was a superstar, conflict inevitably arose.

The reason was simple: he was a tactical genius with strong abilities, but he lacked social finesse and often bruised the egos of star players by speaking bluntly.

Role players respected him and followed orders, so the team played well.

Superstars felt disrespected under him and naturally didn’t want to obey.

George Karl vividly demonstrated an important truth: coaching and tactics might not be the most crucial factors.

When George Karl called the timeout, Anthony felt a flicker of regret and guilt, realizing he had acted impulsively and wrongly.

But after Karl’s furious scolding, Anthony shoved that guilt far away, leaving only anger behind.

Infuriated, Anthony ignored Karl’s instructions as play resumed.

As soon as the game restarted, the ‘well-meaning auntie’ He Xinghui approached Anthony again.

“Cameron, take my advice—listen to the coach, it won’t go wrong. He’s doing it for your own good…”

“Fuck you! Say another word and see what happens,” Anthony exploded, pointing at He Xinghui’s nose, frightening the referee and teammates who rushed over to separate them.

“How can you be like this? I’m just trying to help you. I gave you a friendly warning, and you get mad—unbelievable,” He Xinghui protested, feigning innocence.

“Shut your mouth and focus on the game, or I won’t be polite with you,” the referee warned He Xinghui.

Although trash talk wasn’t banned by the league, He Xinghui’s words were disrupting the flow of the game, forcing the referee’s intervention.

Emotionally, the referee sympathized more with Anthony, believing he was being bullied by He Xinghui’s slyness.

Off the court, George Karl gritted his teeth—not blaming He Xinghui, but venting his frustration at Anthony.

He refused to believe mere words could have such power; he preferred to think Anthony was just not smart enough.

The game continued. To avoid further provoking Anthony, He Xinghui voluntarily switched defense with Mobley, offering a clever excuse: “I’ve already successfully disturbed his focus. Now it’s your turn; I’ll handle the tougher Watson.”

“Thank you a thousand times over,” Mobley replied gratefully, eyes brimming with tears as he took his place in front of Anthony, bracing himself for the inevitable wrath.

He guarded cautiously, afraid Anthony would vent his anger towards He Xinghui on him—something that would be terribly unfair.

He Xinghui approached Watson with a gentle expression. “I have some life advice for you, want to hear it?”

Watson quickly shook his head.

The Nuggets ran their offense, moving the ball a few times until Martin scored.

When it was the Clippers’ turn, He Xinghui finally tasted the consequences: Anthony appeared in front of him.

On offense, Anthony couldn’t choose his defender, but on defense, he could choose to guard He Xinghui.

“Should I sacrifice myself a little?” He Xinghui thought.

He was absolutely certain that if he provoked Anthony to hit him, Anthony would be ejected.

Without Anthony, the Nuggets would basically surrender.

After hesitation, He Xinghui abandoned this dangerous idea, choosing instead to follow the advice of his teammates and rely on pure skill to defeat the opponent honorably.

He made a cut and set a pick-and-roll with Cassell.

After shaking off Anthony, he faced Miller, who looked remarkably like Karen Mok.

Using his height advantage, He Xinghui shot immediately.

Though Miller rushed to contest, he failed to affect the shot.

The ball swished through the net.

That iconic three-pointer was beautiful, but as it was an away game, there were few Clippers fans in the crowd.

So He Xinghui skipped flashy celebrations and quietly returned to defense.

In this game, a win was all that mattered; personal glory was secondary.