Chapter 49

"… averaging 27 minutes of playtime per game, scoring 21.6 points, ranking tenth in the East, with a shooting accuracy of 63%, the highest in the East last week. The young Chinese player, Chen, has undergone a complete transformation since joining the 76ers, becoming a fierce offensive force, virtually unstoppable."

In the weight room, the TV was turned on, and the 76ers players all gathered, their eyes glued to the screen, occasionally glancing back at Chen Mu, congratulating him with laughter.

"Furthermore, the young Chinese player averages 14.3 rebounds per game, including 5.3 offensive rebounds, both the highest in the East and the entire league last week. Even more surprising is that Chen, who was often criticized as a black hole on the court, averaged 4 assists per game last week."

On the TV screen, the sports news anchor calmly recited a string of statistics, not only causing the crowd to cheer continuously, but also leaving Chen Mu somewhat stunned.

Although Chen Mu was well aware of his performance, hearing it from someone else, especially from the media, was a different kind of shock.

"Regarding standout performances, it's worth mentioning the game against the Cleveland Cavaliers last Saturday, where Chen Mu recorded his first career triple-double and led the team to victory, becoming the biggest contributor to the win."

"Thanks to Chen Mu's strong performance, the 76ers won all three games last week, achieving a four-game winning streak, showing a promising momentum. As one of the most outstanding players in terms of performance, Chen Mu deservedly won the NBA Eastern Conference Player of the Week. Now, let's move on to the West, where Kobe Bryant…"

No one paid attention to the rest of the news. All the players gathered around Chen Mu, laughing and celebrating, constantly asking him to treat them to a meal.

"Tonight, you're treating us! Chen, your first Player of the Week, you have to treat us!"

Chen Mu didn't expect that the custom of treating people to a meal after winning an award existed not only in China but also abroad. Although it was just an honor and wouldn't bring him any actual economic benefits, it was still his first career honor, and it was indeed worth celebrating.

"Alright, I'll treat you tonight!"

"YEAH~!!!"

With Chen Mu's promise, the players were ecstatic, cheering and recommending restaurants to him.

"Alan!"

Seeing Allen Iverson, who was rarely seen in the training room, passing by the door, Chen Mu quickly waved and called out, "I'm treating everyone tonight, are you coming?"

"…"

Iverson stopped, turned to look at Chen Mu, and then at the TV, instantly understanding what had happened. He nodded and said, "OK, but I'll be a bit late. Let me know the details later."

"No problem!"

Chen Mu was incredibly excited, never imagining that he would have the chance to treat a basketball superstar like Iverson to a meal!

"… Hey! Hey!!!"

After finally getting his teammates to leave, Chen Mu remembered that he still had a phone call to deal with. He quickly raised the phone to his ear and immediately heard a barrage of scolding.

"Alright, Chen Mu! You've got some nerve, ignoring my call, haven't you? You think you're so great now that you're in America, don't you?!!"

The girl on the other end of the line was none other than Chen Mu's ex-girlfriend, Shen Mofei.

"No, no, Mofei, listen, I was just…"

"I don't want to hear your excuses!" Shen Mofei, clearly angry, shouted impatiently, "I called to tell you that I'm in America now!"

"Oh, really? Congratulations."

Chen Mu responded calmly, not surprised by this news. In the original timeline, his ex-girlfriend was also the fiery-tempered Shen Mofei.

Chen Mu clearly remembered that Shen Mofei was his first love. They started dating in high school, but during the winter break of their sophomore year, Shen Mofei suddenly broke up with him.

"I'm going to America."

That was the last thing Shen Mofei said to Chen Mu.

Perhaps because of the stark difference in their family backgrounds—Chen Mu's family was ordinary, while Shen Mofei was from a wealthy family—Shen Mofei chose to cut off all contact. After she left China, Chen Mu tried various ways to reach out to her, but she never responded.

This memory had always been buried in Chen Mu's mind, never forgotten. Shen Mofei's beautiful face and fiery figure were unforgettable to him.

Perhaps because of her wealthy background, Shen Mofei always had a strong air of a spoiled rich girl, often hitting and scolding Chen Mu, though sometimes in a playful manner. Some friends told Chen Mu that Shen Mofei just wanted a laborer to carry her bags and run errands, not a serious relationship.

Chen Mu knew that his affection for Shen Mofei far exceeded hers for him, making their relationship inherently unfair from the start.

The gap in their family backgrounds only made things worse, and during arguments, Shen Mofei would deliberately use sarcastic remarks to highlight the differences, causing Chen Mu great pain.

Breaking up was the best way out.

What Chen Mu didn't expect was that in this timeline, things developed similarly.

This time, their breakup was because Chen Mu was selected for the national youth team and had to leave his hometown, leading Shen Mofei to dump him.

However, about half a year later, Shen Mofei coming to America was exactly the same as in the original timeline.

"… Hey! Hey!!!"

Shen Mofei's shouts pulled Chen Mu back from his memories.

"Daydreaming again? You dare to daydream while on the phone with me? Humph!"

Shen Mofei grumbled for a while, then continued, "I wanted to tell you I was coming to America, but your old number was no longer in use. I asked a classmate and found out you were in America too, so I got your new number to let you know."

Chen Mu slapped his forehead, remembering that a former classmate had recently asked for his contact information, saying it was for Shen Mofei.

"But I also asked him what a big, dumb athlete like you was doing in America, and he said he didn't know." Shen Mofei grumbled, "But I can guess. With your stupid brain, you can't even play basketball well, so what else could you be doing? Probably washing dishes and cleaning up, right?"

"As for me, I'm here to study. I've already arranged everything. I'll study language for a while, then enter Philadelphia University, a prestigious old school ranked in the top 40 in the U.S. Ha ha~"

Although Shen Mofei sounded impressive, Chen Mu was no longer the naive athlete he used to be. Philadelphia University, while not poorly ranked, was known for its less-than-stellar academic quality.

Moreover, as a prestigious private university, it was a common choice for wealthy Chinese students to spend money to enhance their resumes.

So, without Shen Mofei saying more, Chen Mu had a good idea of why she was in America.

Not to mention her tendency to use English words to show off, which would have made him hang up the phone long ago if not for their past relationship.

"I heard you're in Philadelphia too. I just arrived yesterday, and the atmosphere here is nice, with great air and scenery. I'm just not familiar with the area yet. I heard you've been in Philadelphia for a while, so I thought you should show me around a bit."

Hearing this, Chen Mu finally understood:

Shen Mofei was bored in America, with poor language skills, and wanted someone to show her around and act as a translator!

Fortunately, the old classmate didn't reveal his current status. Chen Mu knew that as a sports ignoramus, Shen Mofei had no idea he was now playing in the NBA and had gained some fame.

The old classmate, a basketball fan who often communicated with Chen Mu online, likely remembered their unfair past relationship and wanted to give Chen Mu a chance to turn the tables.

"Sure, no problem," Chen Mu said nonchalantly. "But I'm just a regular guy, so I'm not familiar with high-end places in Philadelphia. I can only take you to regular restaurants."

"Ha ha, do you think I'd expect you to take me to fancy places?"

Shen Mofei laughed disdainfully. "Don't overthink it. Just take me to the restaurant where you work. Anywhere is fine, as long as you help me get familiar with the area, the transportation, and so on."

"Alright, I understand. I'll let you know the specific time and place later."

After calmly finishing, Chen Mu hung up the phone, a smile playing on his lips. He muttered to himself:

"Thanks, old classmate, for not telling Shen Mofei about my current situation. I'll take this gift."

After a moment of thought, Chen Mu wanted to show Shen Mofei what it meant to turn things around. But this wasn't his strong suit, and he couldn't come up with a good plan.

Turning to see Andre Iguodala still doing his weight training, Chen Mu hesitated but finally approached him, explaining the situation and seeking advice.

"FU-CK! What a Bi-tch!"

Before Iguodala could respond, another voice rang out behind Chen Mu.

Chen Mu turned to see Allen Iverson standing behind him, his face full of anger, shouting, "This kind of person needs to taste the bitterness of regret!"

Chen Mu knew that Iverson, who grew up in poverty, hated people who looked down on the less fortunate. He turned to Iverson and asked what to do next.

"I was going to tell you that I have a party tonight and can't make your dinner. But after hearing your story, I'm so angry!"

Iverson clenched his teeth in anger and waved his hand. "I won't go to the party tonight. We'll reschedule your dinner. I'll tell the team to celebrate with you tonight!"

As he spoke, Iverson, still angry, punched the nearby punching bag and continued, "Today, that girl will learn what it means to regret her actions…!"