38: The grievances that crossed the Pacific Ocean

The ringtone of a video call request sounded somewhat piercing in the quiet apartment.

Lin Feng looked at the jumping rabbit avatar on the screen and the two words below it.

Yoona.

His fingertips hovered over the screen for a moment before finally swiping to connect.

The screen lit up, and a slightly haggard Eastern face appeared in the frame.

Yoona's hair was still a bit damp, clearly having just finished a high-intensity training session. Her makeup was slightly smudged, but her cold, elegant beauty was not diminished in the slightest.

Her background was a brightly lit practice room, with a layer of mist covering the mirrors.

Seeing Lin Feng's face, she forced a smile and spoke first in Chinese.

"Congratulations, you won again."

Her voice carried a hint of fatigue that was hard to detect.

"Yeah," Lin Feng leaned back on the sofa, making himself look relaxed. "It's just a regular-season game."

"It's not as simple as just a regular-season game," Yoona's tone became more serious. "I saw the news. Everyone is saying that pass of yours was historic. You're a hero in Los Angeles now."

"The media likes to exaggerate," Lin Feng smiled.

Looking at the girl on the screen, he asked with concern, "It must be very late over there, right? Why haven't you rested yet?"

"I just finished practice," Yoona subconsciously adjusted her bangs, her eyes flickering away.

"Don't overwork yourself. Take care of your health."

"Yeah, I know."

After a few routine greetings, a brief silence fell over the video call.

Only the faint sounds of other members' practice slogans could be heard from the practice room.

Yoona bit her lower lip, seemingly making a difficult decision.

Finally, as if she had made up her mind, she spoke as if casually.

"I... saw some news on the internet today..."

Lin Feng's heart skipped a beat, but he maintained a calm expression.

"Oh? What news?"

Yoona didn't speak. She brought over her tablet and adjusted the angle so the camera was pointed at the screen.

On the screen was exactly that gossip report from TMZ.

A close-up of Taylor Swift's profile in the VIP seats and the blurry back of the number 1 jersey in the distance formed a very storytelling image.

[The Diva's New Prey? The Lakers' oriental sharpshooter, Lin Feng!]

The glaring headline was presented right before Lin Feng's eyes.

Yoona moved the tablet away and looked back at Lin Feng.

Her voice was very soft, carrying an unmistakable tremor and grievance.

"She... is an amazing singer, isn't she?"

"Do you two... know each other?"

This question was like a tiny needle crossing the Pacific, accurately pricking Lin Feng's heart.

He saw the unease in her eyes, that panic of fear of loss that she was trying hard to suppress.

Lin Feng didn't answer immediately.

He just looked at her quietly, and then revealed a gentle and frank smile.

"Yoona."

He called her name.

"Hmm?"

"Do you think a rookie who has only played a dozen games would have the chance to know a diva of that level?"

His tone was very relaxed, as if he were telling a joke.

Yoona was stunned for a moment and subconsciously shook her head.

Lin Feng continued, "Los Angeles is just like that. There are all kinds of celebrities watching games at Staples Center every day."

"They sit courtside, reporters take photos, and then they can make up a hundred different stories."

"Yesterday it was her, tomorrow it might be Anne Hathaway, and the day after it could be Scarlett Johansson."

"It's just a tactic for the media to grab attention. You don't need to take it to heart."

His explanation was reasonable, and his tone was sincere with a hint of self-deprecation.

He cleverly placed himself in an 'unworthy' position, perfectly avoiding the core fact of the 'text messages,' and only emphasized the huge gap in their status and the partial truth of 'no private meeting.'

Yoona listened quietly, the panic in her eyes gradually calming under Lin Feng's gentle words.

But that grievance still hung on her brow.

She whispered, "But... the way she looked at you was different."

A woman's intuition is sometimes sharper than any evidence.

Lin Feng's heart tightened, knowing he had to give her a reassuring pill.

He put away his smile, and his expression became exceptionally serious.

"Yoona, look at me."

Yoona looked up, meeting his focused gaze.

"I promise you, there is nothing between her and me."

"Those news reports are all fake, just catching at shadows."

"To me, those unattainable superstars are far less real than the sweat you shed in the practice room."

After saying this, he felt it wasn't enough.

He needed a more powerful promise to completely shatter the unease in her heart.

Lin Feng looked at her and spoke solemnly.

"During the All-Star Weekend, the NBA will have a short break."

"At that time, I'll take leave and fly to Seoul to see you, okay?"

These words were like a warm light, instantly illuminating Yoona's dark heart.

Flying to Seoul to see her?

This meant that in his heart, her position was irreplaceable.

This was more powerful than any hollow explanation.

Yoona's eyes turned red all of a sudden.

Joy, emotion, and the grievances she had just accumulated all surged up at this moment.

She nodded vigorously, but tears unhelpfully slid down.

"Mm!"

She responded with a sob, then feeling embarrassed to be like this, she quickly wiped her tears with the back of her hand, only for more to fall.

Finally, she simply broke into a smile through her tears, with tears hanging at the corners of her eyes but her lips turned high up.

"You're not allowed to lie to me!"

"I won't lie to you," Lin Feng looked at her cute appearance and also laughed. "Pinky swear."

He extended his pinky finger toward the screen.

Yoona also smiled, using her slender pinky finger to lightly touch the screen.

This childish gesture made the slight estrangement and suspicion between the two vanish into thin air.

After chatting for a few more minutes, telling her to rest early, Lin Feng finally hung up the video.

The apartment returned to silence.

The smile on Lin Feng's face faded bit by bit.

It was replaced by a complex and determined expression.

He walked to the full-length mirror in the living room and looked at himself in the mirror.

That face, comparable to Daniel Wu's, was now filled with calmness.

Just a shadow-catching gossip report could make Yoona, far away in Korea, so uneasy.

He realized that the fame and strength he currently possessed were far from enough.

He not only couldn't control the media's public opinion, but even protecting the person he wanted to protect seemed so difficult.

He needed more powerful strength.

He needed to stand in a higher place so that everyone could only look up.

He needed to possess absolute strength so that all rumors and slander would become pale and powerless before him.

His consciousness sank into his mind again.

On that semi-transparent system interface, the line of gray words [Aomine Daiki's Unrestricted Shot] seemed to be flashing with an enticing light.

The thought of unlocking it became more urgent and clearer than ever at this moment.

This was no longer just about becoming stronger on the court.

It was even more about gaining the power to control his own destiny and protect his loved ones.

Lin Feng's gaze became sharp.

He turned back to the bedroom and opened the closet.

Inside hung a row of top-tier suits sent by sponsors, with the tags still attached.

He took out a well-tailored black Armani suit and put it on.

A white shirt and a black tie.

When he looked in the mirror again, the man in the mirror had shed the greenness of the court, adding a mature man's charm and a hint of danger.

He picked up his car keys and walked out of the apartment.

Downstairs was parked a brand-new Aston Martin DB9 just delivered by a sponsor.

He pulled open the door and sat inside.

Starting the engine, accompanied by a beast-like low growl, the sports car merged into the brilliant night traffic of Los Angeles.

His goal was clear.

Beverly Hills.

Taylor Swift's party.