81: Calm in the Eye of the Storm

[Exclusive! K-POP Sensation Starlight Girls Member Yoona Arrives at Los Angeles Airport, Causing Fan Frenzy!]

The news notification that popped up on his phone screen was like a needle, accurately piercing the joy that Lin Feng had just felt.

On the other end of the phone, Taylor Swift was still excitedly describing future plans in her cloyingly sweet voice.

...By then, the entire Staples Center will be screaming for you! No, the entire world will!

The smile on Lin Feng's face had completely vanished.

His gaze fell on the accompanying picture.

Yoona was squeezed by the crowd, her face under the mask unclear, but the helplessness in her eyes pierced through the screen, straight into his heart.

Why was she here?

And at such a time, in such a way.

Lin? Are you listening?

Taylor noticed the silence on the other end of the line.

Sorry, Taylor, something unexpected came up on my end.

Lin Feng's voice returned to normal, but the post-victory ease was gone.

Oh? Are your teammates throwing a party to celebrate?

Taylor's tone carried a hint of curiosity and understanding.

Something like that.

Lin Feng vaguely replied.

I need to take care of something first, I'll call you back later.

Alright, your majesty the king, enjoy your night.

Taylor thoughtfully hung up the phone.

Lin Feng took the phone away from his ear, looking at the TMZ news, his brows furrowing little by little.

He knew that paper couldn't wrap fire forever.

He just didn't expect the fire to burn so quickly, so fiercely.

He had barely put down his phone for two seconds when it vibrated wildly again.

Incoming call: David Falk.

His Agent.

Lin Feng answered the call.

Lin! Did you see the TMZ news?!

David's voice was sharp and anxious, like a cat with its tail on fire.

I saw it.

That Korean girl! Yoona of Starlight Girls! Why is she in Los Angeles? What exactly is your relationship with her?!

David's barrage of questions came like a machine gun.

You have to tell me the truth, Lin! This is the most crucial period of your career's ascent! Kobe just vouched for you, the entire league is talking about you!

Any negative scandal, especially a cross-border romance scandal like this, could destroy everything we've built! Sponsors will run away! The team management will also put pressure on you!

Lin Feng didn't speak, just listened quietly.

He could imagine the shrewd Jewish Agent on the other end of the phone, anxiously scratching his head.

Damn it! Why TMZ? These hyenas, they'll write anything!

David cursed into the phone.

Where are you now? In the apartment? Don't go out! Don't accept any interviews! Don't post anything on social media!

I know.

Lin Feng answered calmly.

You just know? Lin, this is no small matter! You must give me an explanation, a solution! I need to know how to deal with the media!

David's voice carried a hint of collapse.

I'll handle it.

Lin Feng's tone was unquestionable.

You handle it? How will you handle it? You're in the eye of the storm right now!

David.

Lin Feng interrupted him.

Trust me.

There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the line.

David seemed to feel an inexplicable power from Lin Feng's terrifyingly calm tone.

...Alright.

David sighed, his tone softening.

I'll have the PR team hold them off for now, but you must give me a definitive answer as soon as possible. Remember, one wrong step, and everything is lost.

After hanging up, the room returned to quiet.

Lin Feng tossed his phone onto the sofa and walked to the huge floor-to-ceiling window.

Outside the window, the dazzling lights of Beverly Hills and the night view of Los Angeles were like an overturned jewelry box, luxurious and charming.

But at this moment, Lin Feng's mood was incredibly heavy.

For the first time, he clearly felt the immense pressure brought by the double-edged sword of

When he was just an unknown player, he could do whatever he wanted.

But when he stood in the spotlight and became the so-called

Any stain would be infinitely magnified.

A wave of irritation surged in his heart.

He forced himself to calm down.

He closed his eyes.

Eye of the Heavenly Emperor, activate!

This time, he observed not the court, but the huge, invisible net he was caught in.

Countless lines appeared and intertwined in his mind.

The TMZ news was a lit fuse.

He

First bomb: fan war.

His fans, the Lakers' fans, would engage in a destructive war of words with Yoona's K-POP fans online. Racism, personal attacks, and unspeakable comments would flood all social media platforms.

Second bomb: plummeting commercial value.

His newly established image as a

Third bomb: internal team turmoil.

The Lakers' management would never want their future core to be entangled in such chaotic gossip. This would affect the team's preparations and the locker room atmosphere. Kobe had just lifted him to this position, and he couldn't let his boss's efforts go to waste.

One by one, the lines of cause and effect clearly appeared in his mind.

Evasion and cold treatment would be the most foolish approach.

That would only allow the situation to escalate and eventually spiral out of control.

He had to take the initiative.

He had to control everything.

Lin Feng opened his eyes, his gaze once again sharp and determined.

He walked back to the sofa and picked up his phone.

He ignored the countless missed calls and messages on it.

He found Yoona's number and drafted a message.

The content was simple.

Welcome to Los Angeles.

Stay safe, I'll contact you.

Sent.

This message was both a comfort and a promise.

He told her that he knew and that he would take responsibility.

After doing all this, Lin Feng felt the irritation in his heart finally subside.

He put his phone on silent, tossed it aside, and prepared to take a shower to clear his head.

Just as he stood up.

Ding-dong—

The doorbell suddenly rang.

Lin Feng's body stiffened.

Who could it be at this hour?

Reporters? Impossible, security here is very strict.

David? He just finished his call, he couldn't have gotten here so quickly.

Taylor? Scarlett?

He walked to the door and looked out through the peephole.

The person standing at the door made him freeze.

It wasn't any of the goddesses he was entangled with.

It was his teammate, Nick Young.

Even more surprising was that Nick Young's face lacked his usual signature, nonchalant smile.

Instead, there was an unprecedented seriousness and solemnity.