"...Tonight, star rookie Su Xi led the Pacers to victory over the Detroit Pistons at the Auburn Hills Palace. The Pacers had lost both previous matchups this season before Su Xi’s trade. In this game, Su Xi once again recorded an incredible triple-double, with a standout performance in steals and blocks. He now has the most triple-doubles of any player this season. Including his quadruple-double in the season opener, he now has four triple-doubles and eleven near triple-doubles. Some commentators believe that, setting aside discussions of his potential ceiling, Su Xi is already the best player in this rookie class."

"If a rookie from the 2003 class had to be chosen for this year’s All-Star Game, Su Xi is undoubtedly the frontrunner."

Su Xi lay on the large bed in his Detroit hotel room, watching the post-game commentary on TNT.

Setting aside the on-court violence, Su Xi played at a superstar level. While some still argued that he was merely benefiting from playing on a strong Pacers team and that his performance would suffer on a weaker squad, no one could deny that since joining the Pacers, he had unlocked Indiana’s championship DNA.

Carlisle’s remarks at the post-game press conference weren’t just about helping Su Xi campaign for a starting spot in the All-Star Game. More importantly, he was placing the mantle of leadership on Su Xi’s shoulders.

This was the Pacers’ version of a coronation.

Artest completely accepted this outcome; Su Xi had won his respect not only with his skill on the court, but also with his ’combat’ prowess.

Su Xi pressed the remote and changed the channel. ESPN was reporting on the brawl at the Auburn Hills Palace.

"Ben Wallace set a terrible example. Whatever his reasons, he should not have body-slammed Su Xi. Of course, I don’t think Little Sheep Su Xi is completely innocent, either. He hit Big Ben hard, and Big Ben never actually hurt him," Anthony Mason said from the ESPN studio.

He was a Knicks legend, a key member of the New York Gang, and his nickname during his playing days was "New York’s Ultimate Hitman." In his own words, Barkley was all talk, and Oakley only knew a few dirty tricks. He, on the other hand, was the one who would mess with anyone he pleased. And Oakley had no objection to that statement.

With him on the show, ESPN’s credibility on the matter instantly shot up.

"But Jack said it was unintentional. That he’s the victim," the host said.

"That’s what’s so brilliant about it. The league doesn’t even know how to punish him now; they might even rescind his technical foul. Ben Wallace is just a brute who played it too crudely and got beaten up for nothing. Jack is the real bad boy here. I even think he engineered the body slam from Ben Wallace... Look, the way he stuck his foot out there was far too deliberate..." Anthony Mason’s analysis was sharp and convincing.

Sitting in front of the TV, Su Xi felt completely exposed. ’So there are some sharp minds in the NBA after all,’ he thought.

"But no matter how you look at it, Ben Wallace made the first move," the host argued.

"There are so many ways to make a guy throw the first punch, my man," Anthony Mason said with a wicked grin.

The others on the panel still found it incredible, unable to believe it.

Mike Brin, sitting beside him, chimed in, "Anthony, you’re a crafty old veteran. But Jack is still a rookie. Maybe you can spin a convincing tale, but from our perspective, it seems impossible. The fans don’t see it that way, either. Right now, the internet is demanding Ben Wallace’s head. He set a bad example, and the league should punish him severely. You can’t let him off the hook just because he took a beating. Jack has a concussion, too..."

Su Xi nodded in profound agreement.

Then he changed the channel again.

This was the National Entertainment Channel, owned by Time Warner.

When Su Xi saw what they were reporting, he was stunned. 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

Even though it was 2003, affluent neighborhoods were already filled with all sorts of ’closed-circuit televisions’—in other words, security cameras—complete with alarm systems.

Security is always the top priority for the wealthy.

The National Entertainment Channel was broadcasting footage of the very car crash that had occurred in an affluent neighborhood on Long Island, New York.

Before this, no one had believed Su Xi and Scarlett Johansson were only meeting for the second time. Kenny Smith had even scoffed on television, accusing Su Xi of putting on an act.

With the release of this videotape, the truth was finally revealed.

On the screen, Su Xi watched the entire sequence of himself administering first aid to Scarlett. Though the footage was blurry, you could clearly see how calm, quick, and professional he was throughout the ordeal.

Doctors watching were full of praise, while the gossip hounds were already imagining the plot of a romantic encounter. This was a bond forged through a life-and-death crisis! If that wasn’t a match made in heaven, what was?

Jessica Alba and Su Xi just had a head start because they started dating first. Little Sheep Su Xi and Scarlett Johansson were the real heaven-sent match.

Gossip fans and fangirls alike were shipping them like crazy.

This was a romantic plot so dramatic it wouldn’t even appear in a Hollywood movie, and it was happening in real life.

And it was the perfect pairing: a handsome, rising basketball star from the world of sports, and a beautiful, sexy starlet from the entertainment industry.

All the elements were in place!

How could anyone *not* ship them? It would be a crime against nature!

The pairing of Su Xi and Scarlett instantly triggered an explosion of public support. On the nascent internet, people were already describing them as a modern-day Romeo and Juliet.

Wasn’t this sweeter than the soap opera marriage of Jennifer Aniston and Brad Pitt? Wasn’t this more compelling than the ill-fated romance of the "golden couple," Britney and Justin?

In an instant, the number of shippers for the couple grew exponentially.