Chapter Sixteen: I Regret Playing This Match

Swish.
Crack.
He.
Ah.
The volume of noise is the only standard by which a ‘classic moment’ is measured.
Any scene that fails to provoke a roar does not deserve the title of a legendary moment.
When the clock hit zero and the basketball fell through the net, the arena erupted with a thunderous roar.
There weren't many fans of Xinghui He in the crowd, but they were all basketball lovers.
And no true basketball fan could resist a comeback like this.
“Incredible! Unbelievable! The T-Mac moment has returned. The Clippers’ rookie number 60 scored three three-pointers and two twos in the final forty seconds, racking up thirteen points to lead his team to a reversal.”
“After sinking the game-winner, he just went to drink water. Was he thirsty? No, he simply believed he had sealed the victory. That simple act of drinking will surely go down in history.”
“The Spurs. Once again, the Spurs. Are they cursed by the heavens?”
“Perhaps we are witnessing the rise of a new star.”
...
In the commentator’s booth, the two guests unleashed their literary flair, narrating this iconic scene.
In front of their televisions, countless fans leapt from their seats.
At the same time, countless fans found themselves a new idol.
Fans in China following the live text updates felt both joy and regret.
They were thrilled that one of their own had put on such a brilliant performance, but frustrated they hadn’t seen it live.
Although they could always watch a replay later, knowing the outcome in advance would inevitably dull the excitement.
On the court, Xinghui He was hoisted aloft by his teammates, performing some wonderfully silly celebratory moves.
Fortunately, at moments like this, no one laughed at them—there was only admiration and envy.
The Spurs players watched, their emotions a tangled web.
Two thousand words could not express the turmoil in their hearts.
Their only choice was to leave this awkward place as quickly as possible.
When the commotion finally settled, Lucy from ABC, the beautiful reporter, managed to secure a live interview with Xinghui He.
“He, congratulations on scoring thirty-six points, hitting the game-winner to complete the comeback, and successfully recreating the T-Mac moment. Are you feeling excited right now?”

Lucy asked.
“Very happy,” Xinghui He replied, cold and expressionless.
Before this game, Xinghui He had imagined what he might say if he were ever interviewed.
Should he give those bland, official responses like LeBron James, or speak his mind with reckless honesty?
Ultimately, Xinghui He decided to take the playful route.
He often talked trash on the court, and knew some fans would dislike that.
But if he could cultivate a fun-loving persona, perhaps fans would forgive him a little.
So, Xinghui He planned to joke around with Lucy, crafting an image of a mischief-maker.
“Really? You don’t look very happy at all,” Lucy quipped.
“Like this?”
Xinghui He spread his index and middle fingers, one on either side of his mouth, and pushed upward—just like Stephen Chow in the film “Flirting Scholar”—forcing a smile.
Well now, Lucy had seen countless interviews and conducted many herself, but she’d never encountered this.
Then Xinghui He dropped his hands and resumed his deadpan, robotic expression.
Lucy asked a few more questions, then turned to the camera and said, “It seems our new star is a very serious person, but his talent…”
As she spoke, the cameraman nearly burst out laughing.
Because at that very moment, Xinghui He was sticking out his tongue and making faces at the camera.
On their own, the antics weren’t all that ridiculous.
But the timing was perfect—while Lucy was telling viewers how serious Xinghui He was, he was grimacing for the camera. The comedic effect was overwhelming.
When Lucy turned to ask another question, Xinghui He switched back to his poker face.
But the moment she looked away, he made a V-sign under his chin with his thumb and index finger.
Fans who hadn’t changed the channel and were watching the live interview were nearly doubled over with laughter.
It was only after the interview concluded and Xinghui He returned to the locker room that the cameraman told Lucy what had happened.
Lucy, far from being annoyed, was delighted.
There are tens of thousands of NBA interview clips, but truly memorable ones are rare.
As a reporter, Lucy keenly sensed that this prank-filled interview might become a classic, and she herself would gain some fame from it.
What an interesting guy.

Lucy’s interest in Xinghui He grew even stronger.
Back in the locker room, Xinghui He was once again the target of his teammates’ pranks.
Seeing how excited they were, Xinghui He almost thought they were the true heroes of the comeback.
After showering, he was forced to accompany the coach to the press conference.
After a performance that would go down in history, there was no way to avoid the journalists.
Facing a barrage of questions, Xinghui He kept up his playful persona.
“After a game like that, how do you feel right now?”
A reporter asked.
“Pretty depressed,” Xinghui He replied, deadpan as ever.
“Why?”
Several reporters scrambled to follow up—his answer was so unexpected.
To recreate the T-Mac moment yet feel depressed? It made no sense.
“Because I’m just a rookie. Now that I’ve played such a brilliant game, the media will definitely think I’m some kind of superstar. When I return to my normal level, they’ll say I peaked as a rookie, that I haven’t improved, that I’m arrogant or lazy in training, that I’ve let my team down. Just thinking about that possibility makes me regret playing so well tonight. If I could do it over, I’d tell the coach I had a stomachache.”
Xinghui He’s words sounded like humblebragging, but there was truth to them.
If a player averages five points a game as a rookie and then ten the next season, the media will praise his progress.
But if he starts with ten and drops to five, he’s doomed—the media will criticize him from every possible angle.
...
The assembled reporters were momentarily stunned, unsure how to respond.
Xinghui He’s answer left no room for their usual tactics.
“Mike, what do you think of He’s remarks? If you could do it over, would you let him recreate this classic moment?”
Unable to get anywhere with Xinghui He, the reporters turned to Mike Dunleavy.
Perhaps influenced by Xinghui He, Dunleavy replied with a hint of pride, “Without a doubt, I would. After all, I prefer solid, steady wins over high-risk comebacks. If I could, I’d want us to lead from start to finish in every game.”
Hearing this, the reporters silently cursed—it didn’t fit their planned script at all.