"Hoo!"
Guo Qiang, standing beside him, heard Yao Ming smooth things over with his perfectly worded remarks and finally let out a long sigh of relief.
He had been truly afraid that Yao Ming wouldn't be able to handle the situation, and that the Dream Eight team would then focus all their attention on the Dragon Country Men's Basketball team, making it incredibly difficult for them to score even a single point.
People have memories. The Dream Eight team wasn't just fluid in offense; their full-court press was also ferocious.
If the Dream Eight team were to unleash that kind of overwhelming momentum, it would be hard for the opponent to score even one basket.
Afterward, with Yao Ming's high emotional intelligence successfully mediating the situation, some reporters began asking about less significant topics.
This even included some gossipy reporters who inquired if Tang Long was dating the country music singer "Mei Mei."
This was because many people had seen Mei Mei accompanying Tang Long to Dragon Country, and she was currently believed to be in Hangcheng.
"Tang... I really want to ask, about your relationship with Taylor, when are you planning to announce it?"
A tall, beautiful reporter with blonde hair and blue eyes asked, "Also, did Taylor travel all the way to Hangcheng with you this time?"
Tang Long looked at the female reporter and smiled magnanimously, saying, "Yes, beautiful lady, Taylor has come to Hangcheng with me. We're planning to grab some skewers by the roadside and have some beer. Would you like to join us? If you come along, I'll let you experience our Dragon Country's refreshing draft beer. You're sure to love it."
"Oh my god, Tang, you're such a humorous guy! I'd love to go, but I'm afraid Taylor might get jealous!"
"Haha..."
Her remark elicited hearty laughter from many of the reporters.
Everyone knew that Tang Long wasn't just a beast on the court; he was also quite accomplished in wooing women.
It wasn't just the singer Mei Mei; it was also rumored that the charming and sexy Scarlett Johansson, and Gal Gadot, with her long legs, were quite fond of Tang Long.
When Tang Long and James won the team's first championship in history, she had even specially traveled to Cleveland to celebrate with Tang Long.
"Tang, I wish you and Taylor eternal happiness!"
With that, the blonde, blue-eyed female reporter offered a blessing, concluding the interesting post-game interview.
Everyone returned to the locker room. Guo Qiang looked at Tang Long with some annoyance and said, "Tang Long, you're still too young and impetuous. You should learn more from your Brother Yao. You need to be humble. If your Brother Yao hadn't been there just now, you would have messed up this post-game press conference!"
"You're too arrogant! How could you openly provoke the Dream Eight team? Don't you know the terrifying strength of the Dream Eight team?"
Guo Qiang said with a dark expression, muttering to himself, "You kid are playing in the NBA. Don't you know the skill level of Kobe, James, Wade, and Anthony? Even though you won the championship this year, you can't be that arrogant.
"After all, the Dream Eight team is a collection of the NBA's best players!"
Tang Long smiled dismissively and said, "I deliberately said that. As for the reason, you'll know when the time comes. I'll keep it a secret for now!"
"I think you've gotten carried away after winning the championship and have lost your composure!"
Guo Qiang grumbled about Tang Long, but in his heart, there was still some anticipation.
He needed the players to maintain this fighting spirit, to not fear strong opponents, and to play without fear of losing. This was the best mentality for sports competition.
"Alright, I won't bother you any longer. You've all had a long day. Wash up and rest. Don't forget about the next game against Angola. Play fiercely like you did today!"
After speaking, Guo Qiang left the locker room.
Ah Lian, Wang Zhizhi, Zhu Fangyu, and Sun Dasheng all wore smiles.
The team had won, and everyone was happy.
Just then, Sun Yue ran over and nudged Tang Long with his elbow, whispering, "Hey, Tang Long, I heard you're good friends with Taylor. I really like her songs. Let's go out for dinner later. You can invite her along, and we brothers can have a casual meal together, what do you say?"
As he spoke, he observed Tang Long's expression. Seeing Tang Long's strange look, he quickly added, "Don't worry, Tang Long, I'll treat this meal. You won't have to pay. Is that acceptable?"
"Damn! So you're that kind of guy too?"
Tang Long was speechless. Back in Cleveland, Larry Hughes and Drew Gooden were also constantly thinking about his girlfriends.
Now that he was back in his home country playing for the national team, he hadn't expected Sun Yue to be such a true connoisseur of the female form.
"Tang Long, and me too! Bring me along. Actually, like Da Sheng, I also really like Taylor!"
Zhu Fangyu shamelessly approached. Wang Zhizhi, as the elder brother figure, merely smiled and said nothing.
As for the introverted Ah Lian, he simply pretended not to hear the topic.
You guys talk, I'll do my own thing.
Yao Ming was going home soon, as his wife Ye Li was waiting for him. He couldn't run around like Tang Long and Sun Yue.
"Alright, seeing your sincerity, I'll reluctantly agree."
Tang Long wasn't a stingy person. He thought it was fine to invite Mei Mei and the others to meet.
Finally, he looked at Yao Ming and Wang Zhizhi, "Brother Zhi and Brother Yao, and Ah Lian, do you want to join us for dinner?"
Yao Ming and Wang Zhizhi simultaneously waved their hands, "We'll pass. We all have wives and children now, unlike you young folks. You guys go ahead and eat. We're going back to the hotel to rest."
Tang Long thought that was indeed the case. Wang Zhizhi and Yao Ming were both devoted family men. He figured they wouldn't be inclined to go out for a lively dinner.
That left only the quiet Ah Lian. Tang Long walked over, patted his shoulder, and said, "Ah Lian, don't be such a silent person. Come to the dinner. Someone's treating, so why not go?"
"Cough cough..." Sun Yue suddenly looked embarrassed. So, he was going to be the big spender?
However, he was willing to be the big spender. After all, he really enjoyed listening to Mei Mei's songs.
"Tang Long, stop dawdling and hurry up and contact Taylor. Ask her if she's willing to come out and have dinner with us?"
"Don't rush. I'll ask her when I get back to the hotel, and then I'll call you guys back, okay?"
"Okay, then it's settled. Don't forget to notify us later!"
Sun Yue and Zhu Fangyu, along with others, left with eager anticipation.
Meanwhile, Tang Long washed up, got dressed up, and returned to the hotel where Mei Mei was staying, specifically to see her.
At this moment, Mei Mei was watching the Olympic broadcast. She was idly organizing sheet music, saving it for her next album release.
Just then, there was a knock on the door. It probably wasn't the bodyguards; they would announce themselves.
Mei Mei curiously walked to the door and looked through the peephole. Her eyes immediately lit up.
The tall, sturdy man standing outside wasn't the Tang Long she adored?
"Oh my god, Tang, you finally remembered to come see me! Leaving a foreign girl alone in the hotel, you're too heartless!"
Mei Mei opened the door and said to Tang Long, half-jokingly.