57: All-Star Media Day

Lin Feng put the high-quality black card into his pocket.

Through the fabric of his pants, he could still feel the outline of the gold-stamped numbers.

The surrounding reporters were still in shock from Scarlett Johansson's sudden appearance and cool departure, for a moment forgetting what they were supposed to ask.

They looked at each other, and finally, they pointed their cameras and microphones once again at the center of the storm.

Lin Feng didn't give them another chance to speak.

He just lifted his eyelids and scanned the crowd with a cold, emotionless gaze.

The reporters, who had been as frantic as sharks smelling blood just moments ago, were collectively silenced by that single glance.

Security personnel took the opportunity to surround him, escorting Lin Feng through the crowd toward the exit of the banquet hall.

"Eye of the Heavenly Emperor..."

"Broken works of art..."

Lin Feng silently recited these two phrases in his heart, and the outline of that bold plan in his mind became clearer... The next day.

The Houston All-Star Weekend officially entered Media Day.

Inside the Toyota Center arena, the crowd was bustling, and flashes went off one after another, merging into a sea of light.

According to custom, only the top superstars in the league were qualified to have their own independent interview booths.

LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Carmelo Anthony... and Lin Feng.

As the biggest talking point of this All-Star Game and the newly crowned western conference all-star starter selection king, the league had arranged for him the same treatment as those long-established superstars.

Lin Feng sat behind the booth wearing a tracksuit with the All-Star logo, with microphones from media outlets all over the world laid out in front of him.

This in itself was a symbol of status.

However, the upcoming questions were much more complicated than this treatment.

The interview officially began.

A reporter from Asia was the first to get a chance to ask a question, and his question was full of goodwill.

"Lin, congratulations on becoming the western conference all-star starter selection king. You are now the pride of all of Asia. How do you feel about this?"

Lin Feng picked up the microphone, his expression calm.

"Thank you."

"This isn't an honor for me alone; it belongs to every fan who voted for me, as well as my team and teammates."

"They are the ones who gave me this opportunity to stand here."

His answer was airtight, attributing the credit to the collective and maintaining a very humble posture.

The reporters who supported him nodded one after another, recording his speech.

Soon, a reporter from ESPN stood up, and his question wasn't nearly as friendly.

"Lin, we all know that not long ago, you experienced a 25-point crushing defeat in San Antonio."

"Coach Popovich described your style of play as 'circus basketball,' and your stats were 5-for-22."

"Many people believe your performance doesn't warrant being the western conference all-star starter selection king. How do you respond to such doubts?"

As soon as this question was asked, the atmosphere on the scene suddenly became tense.

Everyone's eyes were focused on Lin Feng, wanting to see how this young voting leader would handle such a sharp interrogation.

Would he fight back in anger, or would he avoid it awkwardly?

No emotional fluctuations could be seen on Lin Feng's face.

He remained silent for a few seconds, seemingly organizing his words.

Then, he spoke, his voice clear and steady.

"That loss taught me a lot of things."

Everyone was stunned; they hadn't expected such an opening.

"Coach Popovich is a respectable legend, and he used a single game to give me a valuable lesson."

"He taught me that in the sport of basketball, there is always something worth learning."

"I lost; that's a fact. I accept the defeat and will learn from it, striving to make myself stronger."

These words were neither humble nor arrogant.

He didn't shirk responsibility, didn't snap back in anger, and even took the initiative to admit his shortcomings while expressing respect for the legendary coach.

This maturity and composure beyond his years gave most of the neutral media reporters a sense of goodwill toward him.

The ESPN reporter who asked the question clearly hadn't expected such an answer, and the series of follow-up questions he had prepared were abruptly stifled.

The atmosphere eased slightly.

But there are always people who don't want the scene to be so dull.

A reporter from a gossip outlet squeezed to the front, a malicious smile on his face.

"Lin, we all saw Hollywood superstar Miss Scarlett Johansson take the initiative to talk to you at the charity gala last night."

"Many people are curious, what did you talk about? Was she also attracted by your 'artistic basketball'?"

This question was full of hints and provocation, deliberately using the term 'artistic basketball' in a playful tone.

Everyone pricked up their ears.

Compared to controversies in the sports world, a scandal with a top Hollywood actress was clearly more explosive.

Hearing this, Lin Feng finally smiled.

It was a calm, composed smile with a hint of playfulness.

"Miss Johansson is an outstanding artist."

He first gave her a high compliment, then pivoted slightly.

"We just exchanged some of our respective views on art."

"It was my honor to communicate with such an excellent artist like her."

This answer was perfect.

It confirmed their interaction while limiting it to the highly sophisticated category of 'artistic discussion.'

It maintained distance and showed respect while leaving infinite room for the outside world's imagination.

What does 'views on art' mean?

Basketball is art, and movies are also art; the room for interpretation was huge.

The reporters on the scene were in a frenzy, their pens and cameras working rapidly. They knew that tomorrow's headline was secured... Meanwhile.

In the presidential suite of a top hotel in downtown Houston.

Scarlett Johansson was wearing a silk bathrobe, reclining lazily on the sofa.

She swirled the goblet in her hand, which contained amber-colored whiskey.

On the huge LCD TV in front of her, the grand occasion of All-Star Media Day was being broadcast in real-time, and the screen happened to freeze on Lin Feng's composed, smiling face.

His answer came clearly from the TV.

"Miss Johansson is an outstanding artist..."

"We just exchanged some of our respective views on art..."

After listening, a charming smile rippled through Scarlett's green eyes.

She drained the whiskey in her glass, stuck out her tongue, and gently licked her full Red lips.

"The little guy is quite the smooth talker."

"artist..."

She repeated the word in a low voice, and the inquiry and interest in her eyes became even more intense... Media Day finally ended.

Lin Feng dragged his tired body back to his hotel room.

Dealing with these reporters was more exhausting than playing a high-intensity game.

Just as he threw himself onto the bed, his phone rang.

It was an unknown number.

Lin Feng hesitated for a moment but still answered.

"Hello?"

There was a moment of silence on the other end, and then a voice he hadn't expected but was incredibly familiar with came through, carrying a trace of imperceptible resentment.

"It seems my 'artist' gentleman has found new 'art' in Houston?"

Lin Feng jolted and sat up from the bed.

This voice, this familiar vibe.

It was Taylor Swift.

He hadn't expected her to call from an unknown number at all.

"Taylor?"

"Hmph, you can still recognize my voice."

The voice on the other end sounded jealous.

"You seemed to have a very happy chat with that Hollywood actress; you're all over the entertainment headlines in America."

"'Exchange of art'? Lin, when did you become so knowledgeable about the art of cinema?"

A woman's intuition is indeed terrifying.

Lin Feng's mind raced.

He could hear the jealousy in Taylor's words, which proved his weight in her heart.

But he couldn't deny it directly; that would seem hypocritical.

Even more so, he couldn't admit it; that would be seeking his own death.

"Art is interconnected."

Lin Feng's voice traveled across the ocean through the electrical current, carrying a soothing magnetism.

"But there is always a first source of inspiration."

There was another silence on the other end of the phone.

After several seconds, Taylor's voice sounded again, her resentment mostly dissipated, replaced by a hint of bashful sweetness.

"...I'll take that as you being sensible."

"The Asian leg of my 'Red' tour is about to start, and the first stop is Tokyo."

"When the time comes, you must come to my concert."

"Okay, I'll definitely go."

Lin Feng agreed without hesitation.

With one sentence, he successfully soothed the pop queen's emotions and even arranged their next meeting.

After hanging up, Lin Feng let out a long breath.

Dealing with these high-level women required both high emotional intelligence and mental effort.

Just then, there was a knock on the room door.

It was his Agent, Jeff.

Jeff rushed in with an excited face, holding a gold-stamped invitation in his hand.

"Lin! Great news!"

"What's up?"

"A top-tier private art auction hosted by the league's top sponsors, not open to the public, is happening tomorrow night!"

Jeff handed the invitation to Lin Feng and lowered his voice.

"Not just anyone can get in; those invited are either rich or noble! And I heard some news..."

Jeff's expression became mysterious.

"Scarlett Johansson is the special guest of that auction."

Lin Feng's gaze fell on the exquisite invitation.

Instantly, Scarlett's green eyes and her suggestive words surfaced in his mind.

"I want to invite you to appreciate some real 'broken works of art'."